Chet Holmgren’s future with the Oklahoma City Thunder is one of the biggest questions facing the franchise this offseason. On one hand, Holmgren has already shown all-star level upside and the type of two-way skill set that fits perfectly alongside the reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. On the other hand, his highly criticised performance in the Western Conference Finals raises questions about whether he can be a reliable second option on a championship-level team. For a franchise hoping to compete for championships for the foreseeable future, a decision must be made as to what Holmgren’s future looks like with the team.
What Does Chet Holmgren’s Future With The Oklahoma City Thunder Look Like?
The Concern with Chet Holmgren
Holmgren is a seemingly perfect fit on this Oklahoma City Thunder team. His ability to space the floor, protect the rim, and impact both ends of the court makes him an ideal frontcourt partner next to Gilgeous-Alexander. Two-way bigs with Holmgren’s skill set are rare, and he has already proven himself to be one of the best defensive players in the league despite still being early in his career. He is young, talented, and fits perfectly with the rest of Oklahoma City’s timeline. The concern, however, is not that Holmgren had a bad season or even a bad postseason overall. The issue is that when he faced the Spurs and Victor Wembanyama, he seemed to lose confidence completely.
That was most evident by Holmgren’s drop-off in Game 7, where he attempted just two field goals in a game that demanded more aggression from him. The problem for Oklahoma City is that San Antonio is not going away. If the Thunder and Spurs are set to be two of the league’s best teams for the foreseeable future, there may be no avoiding Wembanyama. That makes Holmgren’s struggles against him especially concerning, because he cannot continue to shrink in those matchups and expect to remain a central part of Oklahoma City’s long-term future.
Holmgren’s contract comes with added pressure
Although Holmgren has shown the potential to live up to a max contract, Oklahoma City’s financial situation makes his development even more important. With Holmgren, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Jalen Williams all expected to be on major deals, the Thunder’s margin for error becomes much smaller. This is especially important for a team that has relied so heavily on depth, bench production, and roster flexibility. Having three large contracts at the top of the payroll naturally limits how much Oklahoma City can build around the edges, which means Holmgren has to play like a player truly deserving of that type of money.
We are seeing this pattern more often around the league, where teams hand out large contracts based on what a player could become rather than what they have already consistently proven on the court. In the long run, that can hurt teams if those players do not take the expected leap, as front offices can become stuck with contracts that no longer look as justified as they did when they were first signed. For the Thunder, that means Holmgren cannot just be a high-upside piece. He has to become a reliable max-level player in the games that matter most.
The potential for a trade
A potential trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo is where the conversation becomes even more interesting. On paper, the deal makes sense for both sides. For Oklahoma City, pairing Gilgeous-Alexander with another top-five player in the league would instantly make the Thunder even more dangerous. Antetokounmpo also feels like the type of player who could thrive against Wembanyama, giving Oklahoma City the physicality, rim pressure, and superstar presence needed to overcome its biggest long-term hurdle. From Milwaukee’s perspective, the appeal is clear as well. The Bucks would receive a young franchise cornerstone in Holmgren, giving them a player they could build around if they ever decided to move into a new era.
The only issue is that this type of drastic, reactionary decision does not feel like a typical move for general manager Sam Presti. For now, the best option may be to simply believe in Holmgren. We already know he is a great player, and his struggles against Wembanyama seem more like a mental hurdle than proof that he cannot be part of Oklahoma City’s future. With the right coaching, added strength, and more experience in those matchups, Holmgren can use the offseason to develop and prove he belongs at the center of the Thunder’s long-term plans.
Featured Image: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
