Precisely, Hartenstein spoke to Aragón Deporte after the game about Aday and his impact: "I think he has a lot of talent, he is a great person, and I can only help him get the best out of himself. He is very professional, and as a group we want to help him improve after the good preseason he had. Today, he did an incredible job."
Oklahoma's roster salaries.
The center is aware that the player from Aragon is an Oklahoma investment for the present, but above all for the future. The franchise also knows that keeping the current roster together next year will be almost impossible because of the high salaries it will have to pay next season. Hartenstein is one of the players expected to leave because of his salary, as is Caruso. Shai will earn $61 million next season, while Jalen Williams and Chet will receive $41 million. Those three salaries make it impossible for both the interior and perimeter players to remain. In addition, Cason Wallace has signed an extension worth $23 million for the following season.
That is why the Thunder's commitment to Aday, who earns $6 million, is very clear as they seek to reduce their payroll and avoid significantly exceeding the NBA's limits. It should be noted that the third and fourth years of Mara's contract with Oklahoma are subject to a team option, meaning the team must decide whether to keep him, and his highest salary would be close to $9 million.
