NBA Rumors: The 3 players who could leave OKC after falling in the Conference Finals

The era of Oklahoma City Thunder dominance has come to an end. After an intense seven-game series, the reigning NBA champions have been dethroned both as league champions and as the Western Conference reference. That role now belongs to the San Antonio Spurs led by Victor Wembanyama.

With the goal of competing for the title again, the Thunder face a summer filled with complex decisions. The franchise is above the second salary apron, a circumstance that significantly limits its flexibility and will impact any roster moves it makes.

In this context, there are several names whose future in Oklahoma City seems uncertain for the 2026-27 season.

Isaiah Hartenstein, a costly continuity

Isaiah Hartenstein was a significant addition for the Thunder before the 2024-25 season and played a relevant role in the 2025 championship win. His presence in the paint is particularly valuable in a scenario where Oklahoma City will have to face Wembanyama and the Spurs for years to come.

However, his continuity could be compromised for economic reasons. The center has a team option valued at 28 million dollars, a considerable amount for a franchise with salary constraints.

Furthermore, injuries have been a recurring issue during his time in Oklahoma City. This season, he only played in 46 games, after having played 57 in the previous one.

Kenrich Williams losing prominence

Kenrich Williams' case is more related to a sporting rather than an economic issue. His team option for the upcoming season amounts to 7.2 million dollars, a manageable figure, but his importance in the rotation has noticeably diminished.

The most recent example was in the seventh game of the series, where he was on the court for just four minutes. During the playoffs, he averaged only 5.5 minutes per game and played in 11 matches.

His loss of prominence was already evident during the regular season, when he went five consecutive games without playing due to a coach's decision at the end of March. In the postseason, he was sidelined for an additional four games in the same situation.

According to Wynston Wilcox from Fansided, the Thunder's deep roster allows the team to part ways with Williams without a significant impact. Additionally, the Thunder have the 12th pick in the upcoming Draft, an asset they could use to strengthen their bench or even to move up in positions and find a replacement while reducing salary cap.

Brooks Barnhizer, no room in the rotation

The third name mentioned is Brooks Barnhizer. The 24-year-old shooting guard enters the summer as a restricted free agent, but his continuity also seems uncertain.

This season, he averaged 8.7 minutes per game, and his situation does not seem likely to improve. The presence of players like Cason Wallace, Jared McCain, and Isaiah Joe in the squad significantly limits his chances of getting more playing time.

Wilcox believes that Barnhizer is a depth piece that the Thunder don't really need, making his departure a real possibility during this summer period.

A summer of necessary decisions

The defeat against San Antonio has altered the landscape for Oklahoma City. Besides trying to figure out how to compete with a rising Spurs team, the franchise will need to make significant decisions influenced by its salary situation.

Hartenstein, Williams, and Barnhizer emerge as three of the names most likely to leave the team as the Thunder seek ways to regain lost ground in the battle for Western Conference supremacy.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rumores NBA: Los 3 jugadores que podrían salir de OKC tras caer en Finales de Conferencia