Oklahoma City players and coaches closed the season Sunday by publicly backing center Chet Holmgren, whose difficult Western Conference Finals ended with four points on two shots in Game 7 against San Antonio.
“Every minute Chet Holmgren’s been on the team, we’ve been the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, and it wasn’t the case before Chet was healthy,” head coach Mark Daigneault told reporters during exit interviews.
Holmgren, 24, just completed his strongest campaign, averaging 17.1 points and 8.9 rebounds, earning his first All-Star and All-NBA selections and finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. His postseason, however, drew criticism after he was outplayed by Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama over seven games.
Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a two-time MVP, also endorsed the 7-foot-1 big man. “We need Chet Holmgren,” he said. “Before Chet was here, we weren’t who we are today. When he’s the best version of himself, we’re the best version of ourselves.”
Trade chatter surfaces
Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports examined whether Oklahoma City should explore trading Holmgren. O’Connor cited the center’s past postseason struggles, durability concerns and the upcoming rise in salary when his rookie-scale extension begins next season. He stopped short of recommending a move but wrote that the front office must weigh Holmgren’s future cost against roster needs.
Wallace in line for extension
Front-office chief Sam Presti has issued six contract extensions since 2022-23, and ESPN’s Bobby Marks reports guard Cason Wallace is likely next. The 22-year-old led the NBA in steals this season, earned his first All-Defensive nod and held opponents to 41.6 percent shooting as the closest defender—fifth-best in the league. In the playoffs he limited Austin Reaves, Devin Booker, Stephon Castle and Jalen Green to a combined 25 percent from three-point range.
Topic targets healthy return
Guard Nikola Topic said he is eager to contribute after two seasons disrupted by a partially torn left ACL and a subsequent testicular cancer diagnosis. “I learned a lot about myself,” the 23-year-old told Eurohoops. “It wasn’t the best, but I’m grateful I went through those experiences. I grew from them … I’m looking forward to getting ready to play.”
The Thunder enter the offseason holding all of their core pieces, armed with cap flexibility and draft assets as they decide how aggressively to adjust a roster that finished first in the West before falling one win shy of the NBA Finals.
Source: Hoops Rumors
