OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder solidified their frontcourt and veteran depth on Monday, officially announcing the signings of center Isaiah Hartenstein and guard/forward Kenrich Williams.
The dual announcements were made by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. In accordance with team policy, terms of both agreements were not disclosed.
Hartenstein Secured After Dominant Two-Year Run
Securing Hartenstein to a multi-year contract keeps one of the NBA’s most impactful defensive anchors in Oklahoma City. Since arriving in OKC exactly two years ago on July 6, 2024, Hartenstein has been an integral engine behind the Thunder’s historic regular-season dominance.
Over the past two seasons, Hartenstein helped propel the Thunder to consecutive number-one seeds in the Western Conference, fueling a league-best 132-32 overall record. He has also been the interior centerpiece for an OKC squad that secured the top defensive rating in the NBA for two straight years. This past season, Hartenstein led the league in rim deterrence, holding opponents to just 43.3% shooting on two-point attempts when he was the contesting defender (among players defending at least 350 shots).
In his 104 games (99 starts) with the Thunder, the 28-year-old Eugene, Oregon native has averaged a double-double of 10.3 points on an efficient 59.7% shooting, alongside 10.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest. Originally selected 43rd overall by the Houston Rockets in 2017 after a stint with Žalgiris Kaunas in Lithuania, Hartenstein has evolved into one of the premier big men in the association over his eight-year career.
‘Kenny Hustle’ Stays Home
In addition to locking down their starting center, the Thunder re-signed veteran glue guy Kenrich Williams.
Williams, an eight-year NBA veteran, has established himself as a fan favorite and locker room leader over his 362 games (33 starts) in an Oklahoma City uniform. The Waco, Texas native brings reliable floor-spacing and gritty perimeter defense to the Thunder rotation.
During his time in OKC, Williams has averaged 6.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 18.6 minutes per game. Notably, he has provided highly efficient perimeter shooting for the Thunder’s second unit, knocking down 49.2% of his total field goals and a sharp 38.7% from beyond the three-point arc.
By keeping both Hartenstein and Williams in the fold, Presti and the Thunder front office have sent a clear message: the NBA’s winningest roster over the last two years intends to keep its championship window wide open.
