NBA Analyst Gives Hartenstein's 3-Year $75 Million Deal an A as Pistons' Huerter Pact Draws D
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jun 29
NBA Analyst Gives Hartenstein's 3-Year $75 Million Deal an A as Pistons' Huerter Pact Draws D
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 29
Summary
Isaiah Hartenstein's three-year, $75 million extension with Oklahoma City drew the top grade, with the analyst calling the starting center essential enough that the Thunder could not risk losing him despite second-apron pressure.
The review says the deal lowers Hartenstein's 2026-27 cap hit from a $28.5 million team option to about $25 million annually, preserving a key defender and matchup piece against rivals such as San Antonio.
At the other end, Detroit's three-year, $27 million agreement with Kevin Huerter received a D because his 3-point shooting has fallen from 40% in 2022-23 to 31% last season and he barely played in the playoffs.
Other moves graded well included San Antonio re-signing Julian Champagnie for three years and $45 million, New York keeping Landry Shamet for four years and $24 million, and Brooklyn extending Day'Ron Sharpe for two years and $20 million.
The broader offseason backdrop is a June 30 deadline for extensions on expiring contracts and the opening of outside free-agent talks, setting up a wider rush of deals shaped by cap and apron constraints.