Bleacher Report Names Chet Holmgren Thunder's Top Prospect
The Oklahoma City Thunder have a plethora of young talent, and Chet Holmgren may be the most promising.
In an article naming each team’s highest-ceiling prospect, Bleacher Report dubbed Holmgren as the Thunder’s top prospect. The former second-overall pick beat out players such as Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams for the spot.
After missing the entire 2022-23 season with an injury, Holmgren still has high expectations to live up to. While either Giddey or Williams could end up as the second-best player for this era of Thunder basketball, Holmgren could make the most significant impact.
Holmgren will create a different look for the Thunder on both ends because of his skill set. As a seven-footer who can play on the perimeter, his style is unique compared to any Thunder centers of the past.
Adjusting to offense in the NBA may take time for Holmgren, but his defensive skills should translate immediately. The article mentioned that Holmgren will be the Thunder’s first inside presence since Steven Adams, but he may also be the best shot blocker they have had since Serge Ibaka.
While he had shown his ability in abundance before coming to the NBA, Holmgren’s showing at Summer League was a reminder of how gifted he is. The Gonzaga product averaged 3.5 blocks over his four appearances and looked like one of the best players on the floor in each game.
After looking like one of the best players in Summer League, he could make a run at Rookie of the Year. Although the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama will be the favorite, Holmgren has a solid chance of winning the award.
Defense will probably be the driving force for Holmgren’s campaign, but his versatility on the other end could put him over the top.
As a big man who can play off the dribble, Holmgren fits in perfectly with Oklahoma City’s ideology of mainly having players who can create for themselves. Bleacher Report called Holmgren a new-era big man because of his skills, but he could be much more.
He has already drawn comparisons to former Thunder star Kevin Durant, especially in the mid-range. And if those flashes of greatness become reality, Holmgren could become one of the elite scorers in the league.
Given his already impressive defensive ability and his high ceiling as a scorer, it’s difficult to argue with Bleacher Report’s pick. Holmgren still has a lot of work to do to reach his potential, but Oklahoma City has reason to be optimistic.
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