Oklahoma City Thunder

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, OKC acquired guard Alex Caruso from Chicago in exchange for Josh Giddey. With Plenty of scorers on the Thunder's roster, the team needed to focus on upgrading things on the defensive end. Caruso obviously fits the bill, considering he is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the National Basketball Association. The 30-year-old finished the 2023-24 campaign by averaging a career-high 10.1 points, adding 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks. Although Caruso's scoring numbers could drop on a team that features Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he should continue to make a difference for category managers due to his defensive prowess.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.com, impending free-agent forward/center Isaiah Hartenstein is drawing interest from more teams. While OKC has been rumored to covet his services, Scotto, citing league sources, reported the Orlando Magic could be a team to watch this summer. The 26-year-old drew 49 starts for New York during the 2023-24 campaign, averaging 8.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks. He was also instrumental in helping the Knicks advance deep into the postseason. But New York likely won't be able to afford to keep Hartenstein on the roster, meaning Orlando, a team with plenty of cap space this summer, could make him a strong offer.

New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein has been strongly linked with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Sources have told Stefan Pondy of The New York Post that the Thunder are the "top threat" to pry Hartenstein away from New York. The 26-year-old is heading toward unrestricted free agency and is expected to get a big contract. A recent report suggested that teams are willing to offer as much as $80-100 million for his services. Meanwhile, the Knicks are limited to a maximum offer of four years, $72.5 million. Hartenstein would provide a big boost to the Thunder's rebounding ability after the team posted the fourth-lowest rebounding rate in the league this season.

New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein is set to cash in big on a productive season this summer. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Hartenstein will be able to draw at least $80 million, and perhaps upward of $100 million, from a team that tries to lure him away from New York in free agency. Hartenstein, who is coming off a two-year, $16 million deal, finished 2023-24 as the Knicks' starting center and proved himself as a versatile contributor. He averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 25.3 minutes during the regular season.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had another 30-point effort in Wednesday's Game 5 loss to Dallas, reaching the plateau for the fourth consecutive game with 12-for-22 shooting. He was 2-for-4 with the three-ball and continued to make an impact all over the court. Gilgeous-Alexander's stat line included six rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and one block. He's been highly productive at both ends in the series, but it looks like the Thunder need even more from Gilgeous-Alexander as the team faces elimination in Game 6 on Saturday.