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Isaiah Hartenstein will not play for Germany this summer after suffering an ankle injury, the German Basketball Federation announced. Following discussions with his NBA team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, all parties agreed that the 2.13-metre centre should not risk aggravating the injury.
But in the latest press release by the German Basketball Federation (DBB), it was revealed that Isaiah Hartenstein won't be able to play for his country this summer. This development comes as a significant blow to the team's frontcourt depth ahead of their crucial qualifying matches. Hartenstein suffered an ankle injury, and after extensive consultations with the medical staff of the Oklahoma City Thunder, it was decided that it is in his best interest to focus on rehabilitation this summer.
Your future in Oklahoma City wasn't secure after the season ended. Now you've signed a new three-year contract. How important was it for you to remain part of this project? Isaiah Hartenstein: I really wanted to stay with this team for the long term and continue playing for a title contender. Of course, I was aware of my market value. It was already higher than what we negotiated. But because of the second apron and the way the team is structured, I had to accept a slightly lower salary. It's still a lot of money, of course, but it's a pay cut I had to accept for the sake of the team.
The changes are due, at least in part, to the stricter salary cap rules, including the first and second aprons. Criticism of this is growing louder… Isaiah Hartenstein: It's always difficult for us. These rules were introduced back then because of Kevin Durant 's move to the Golden State Warriors , to prevent teams from having too many players of that caliber. But currently, it's not working out as intended. We're a team that has built up players from scratch, who then have to be traded again because of the second apron. That's a shame. It was the same issue with my contract. It's not like the team doesn't want to pay you. But when you're in the second apron, it's no longer just a financial question; you're also severely restricted in trades. That makes it really difficult for a team, and I think ultimately it hasn't really helped the players either.
Why didn't it ultimately work out for you? Isaiah Hartenstein: We played Game 7 without two of our top scorers. That obviously made things more difficult. If we can just get healthy again and play at this top level, things will look good. But we don't want to make excuses now; that's not why we lost. They deserved to win. We're not a team that says the opponent only won because of this or that. We're going into the season again knowing that we can compete at the top and that sometimes you just need a little bit of luck. In our championship season, we were injury-free. The same was true for New York this time.
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Oklahoma City Thunder forward-center Isaiah Hartenstein is back with Germany’s senior national team, making it clear that his return is about far more than just adding another chapter to his international career. After more than eight years away from the program, the 28-year-old big is excited to represent Germany once again, having last worn the national team jersey back in February 2018 during a FIBA World Cup 2019 Qualifiers matchup against Georgia. “I’m really happy,” he stated in a recent interview with German media outlet Basketball World. “I actually wanted to play for the last two years.”
Germany will bring significant top-level experience into the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers window. Head coach Alex Mumbru has named a 15-man roster that includes three NBA players and seven players currently representing EuroLeague clubs, giving the reigning world and European champions one of the strongest squads of the August window. The NBA contingent is headlined by Dennis Schroder of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Isaiah Hartenstein of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Tristan da Silva of the Orlando Magic.
Brandon Rahbar: Isaiah Hartenstein and the Hartenstein Foundation threw a back-to school bash for more than 300 students on Saturday. The Hartenstein Foundation welcomed kids and their families from three local nonprofits; the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County, Positive Tomorrows and the City Rescue Mission. Hartenstein and his family hosted the organizations for an afternoon of fun that included food, games, activities, prizes, free haircuts, music from Thunder DJ Emcee One and even a surprise visit from Rumble the Bison. Additionally, during the back-to-school celebration, the Hartenstein Foundation gifted each kid with a new backpack filled with school supplies to tip off the school year and ensure kids are geared up and game ready for the first day of school.
Keith Smith: With Isaiah Hartenstein back in the fold, the Thunder now project to be: 🏀$10.2M over the tax 🏀$2.2M over the first apron 🏀$10.8M under the second apron This is without Lu Dort or Kenrich Williams but does count both first-round draft picks.
Keith Smith: Looks like about $75M in new money over three years for Isaiah Hartenstein. Structure will be interesting with a “mutual option” on the final season. Very fair value and a win for OKC to bring Hartenstein back.
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Shams Charania: Just in: Oklahoma City's Isaiah Hartenstein intends to sign a new three-year contract to return to the Thunder through 2028-29 that brings his total earnings with the franchise at five years and $134 million guaranteed, sources tell ESPN. A key signing in 2024 leading to the 2025 championship, Thunder lock in the defensive anchor.
Shams Charania: Hartenstein and his reps, Andrew Morrison and Aaron Mintz of CAA Sports, worked with the Thunder on an agreement that brings $75 million in new money over the next three years -- plus a maximum 15% trade kicker and a unique mutual option that allows both parties to rework the agreement again in 2028 prior to the final season.
Yossi Gozlan: Isaiah Hartenstein getting a mutual option likely means the third year is a player option with a partial guarantee, like James Harden’s current contract. The ~$3M in payroll savings reduces the Thunder’s tax penalty by $21M and leaves them about $15M above the second apron.
NBA Courtside: Jay Willams says OKC and the Spurs won the draft: “They continue to put their chokehold on the NBA. What did we talk about a lot with OKC? How did Chet Holmgren play in the NBA finals? What’s going on with Isaiah Hartenstein when he had go against Wemby? That got a guy named Aday Mara who has a 7’4 wingspan, super talented can give you depth off the bench and give you an extra body to go against Wemby. How about for San Antonio for Wembanyama we talked a lot about who’s the enforcer when Kornet played in that series, now you bring a guy that brings a lot of physicality played for Dan Hurley at UConn a absolute beast on the glass.”
