Some problems are good to have. Just ask the Oklahoma City Thunder. During the offseason, they made some riveting additions to their roster, one that finished as the top seed in the tight-knit West. Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein are game-changing components that address the past woes of the club. Yet, instead of discussing schemes during meetings, the Thunder had a massive name problem.

Brian Windhorst spoke about it in detail during the Hoop Collective podcast. Notably, Hartenstein’s first sacrifice was giving up his nickname which he happens to share with Isaiah Joe. Through a “high-level meeting”, they came to a truce dubbing the latest addition as ‘I-Hart’. But now moving on to the important conundrum surrounding their lineup, who starts between him and Chet Holmgren.

The panel had mixed opinions. Tim McMahon felt a looming curiosity around their decisions. He believes they might adopt Steve Kerr’s tactics with Team USA and make changes as per matchups. “They have a lot of legitimate options,” the analyst says supporting his take. Even then he feels with Holmgren well set in the system, he will play most of the time as the center even if Hartenstein starts alongside him.

Still, McMahon sees no problem in the second-year budding center switching to the four. “But he shoots well enough and he can put it on the floor well enough to where he can play at the four and you are not necessarily sacrificing spacing and playmaking,” MacMahon said on Hoop Collective. Holmgren is nimble for a 7-footer and holds the ability to space the floor (37% last season). It’s possible that OKC will run with a lineup with both their centers. Especially keeping their playoff series in mind.

The Holmgren-Hartenstein combination might be great for the Thunder

In their postseason loss to the Dallas Mavericks, the Thunder majorly suffered on second-chance points. The Luka Doncic-led Mavericks averaged had multiple slashing rebounders that helped them get additional positions. Moreover, they averaged five fewer rebounds than their rivals. With their new potential pairing, they could ensure they repair this hole.

Holmgren, even though taller can’t attack rebounds with the finesse of Hartenstein. During the postseason, the former Knick was pivotal in their ECF final. The 7-foot center averaged 3.8 offensive rebounds per game, the third most for the entirety of the playoffs. With his return distribution being flawless, he is able to find the handler or shooters to create additional possessions. OKC’s scoring arsenal around can capitalize well.

Chet Holmgren too is a great center. Like a modern big, the 22-year-old can expand his game beyond the arc. He also has patience in the game. Holmgren often makes the rights reads and can be a shot-blocking wing for the Thunder due to these traits. “To me he’s one of the most talented bigs in the NBA so me and him on the court together I think is going to be very deadly,” Hartenstein said of his backcourt partner.

Furthermore, the former Knicks isn’t opposed to developing his own game. Hartenstein has always shown that flexibility. He molded himself within the Knicks to become a crucial component in the tough Thibadeau system. Now with the landscape changed, he is willing to do the same for the Thunder. He isn’t ruling out developing a three-point shot himself. “I think when you’re an NBA player, you have to adapt to certain roles, and that’s what I had to do in New York. So it’s really just getting back to that and being more versatile because that’s kind of what the team needs,” Isaiah Hartenstein explained.

As Bontemps said on the show, with the “loaded” roster the Thunder boast, endless possibilities are within grasp. Mark Daigneault, considered among the more talented coaches has incredible courage when making roster-related switches. He adapts mid-game and will use the versatility at hand effectively. After a top-seed finish and the shower of the playoffs, the young team is empowered to make a meaningful run. They have the potential to make a major noise, and with the postseason experience they have added, can be riveting title contenders.

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