The Bulls eye Isaiah Hartenstein as Nikola Vucevic’s potential replacement, betting on defense, rim protection and playmaking to suit Billy Donovan’s uptempo style. Vucevic’s expiring $21.5 million deal and steady production come with defensive gaps Chicago may not want long-term. Hartenstein’s size, mobility and passing could fit Chicago’s future.

Hartenstein, 7 feet, posted 11.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists last season, plus strong defense. His $28.5 million club option for 2026-27 and OKC’s evolving roster with Holmgren could influence availability. A Bulls pursuit would hinge on cost and fit, signaling a shift toward defense and flexibility over pure scoring punch.

The move would require Chicago to shore up perimeter defense and shooting to maximize Hartenstein’s value, aligning the frontcourt with a faster, more switchable roster.

Stephen A. Smith pins Dallas as the Thunder’s top threat for 2025-26, arguing Dallas consistently handles OKC even when Luka Doncic isn’t at full strength. OKC enters next season as the consensus regular-season favorite, built on continuity from their championship run with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein. The Mavericks, per the piece, shift into a fresh slate with Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis stepping in for Doncic and Irving, adding a new dynamic to the Thunder’s title chase.

Jalen Williams lands a 90 overall in NBA 2K26, ranking 21st nationally, as the Thunder place five players in the top 100: Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein. Williams’ breakout season earned him first-time All-Star, All-NBA and All-Defense recognition, capped by a 40-point Game 5 in the 2025 Finals. Oklahoma City’s 68-14 regular season and their Larry O’Brien Trophy run underscore a new era, with Williams solidifying himself as a franchise anchor and fantasy threat.

The list spotlight reinforces Williams as a prime asset in fantasy lineups, while SGA, Holmgren, Dort and Hartenstein provide complementary high-floor production. Williams’ averages of 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists on a championship cohort signal a peak ceiling that fantasy managers will chase this season. The Thunder’s core, built around elite rookie-to-pro progression, suggests a continued window of upside and steady weekly fantasy contributions.

At 24, Williams is entering his prime, and the 90 rating elevates his draft-day allure. The Finals MVP-type burst makes him a natural target for managers seeking versatile scorers who can contribute across scoring, boards and assists. The Thunder’s mix of youth and experience around him signals a sustained fantasy-friendly environment in OKC, even as SGA and Holmgren carry heavy workloads.

Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein teamed up in an offseason workout, signaling major continuity for Oklahoma City’s frontcourt. The two-big aesthetic aims to preserve and expand the Thunder’s defensive identity while health becomes the major variable. The vibe is clear: health-friendly growth for Holmgren, complemented by Hartenstein’s versatility, could push OKC back into top-tier contention as the 2025-26 season arrives.

OKC prizes the same core, betting that a healthy, more cohesive frontline can sustain strong paint defense and efficient lineups. If Holmgren stretches his shooting and avoids setbacks, and Hartenstein keeps providing rim protection and playmaking, the Thunder look poised to elevate their ceiling and maintain a playoff-caliber trajectory, even in a rugged Western landscape.

Ajay Mitchell carved out a standout rookie arc in OKC, rising from a two-way start to a standard contract as a reliable backup guard. He thrived as a drive-heavy scorer and competent floor general when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sat, helping the Thunder maintain offensive momentum. Injuries interrupted his rookie year, but his quick return and continued development kept him in the Thunder’s long-term plans. Mitchell’s path suggests a cheap, high-upside guard option for fantasy rosters if he continues to sharpen playmaking and reads with more reps.

The Thunder, fresh off a historic title run, will lean on Mitchell’s cost-controlled ceiling as they chase another deep playoff push. His 3-point shooting, driving ability, and improving decision-making add layers to OKC’s guard rotation, especially if Nikola Topic books meaningful minutes behind him. Isaiah Hartenstein’s push for ROY-era talk around Mitchell underscored the reputation risk-reward dynamic for this young guard, who could become a dependable late-round fantasy pick with a clear path to increased usage.