The Oklahoma City Thunder is locking up its core for the long haul.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Thunder and center Chet Holmgren agreed to a five-year contract extension worth up to $250 million. Holmgren, heading into his fourth season after being chosen second in the 2022 NBA Draft, has career averages of 16.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists, along with 2.3 blocks.
The biggest issue with Holmgren so far has been his ability to stay healthy. He missed his whole rookie season with a foot injury sustained in a Pro-Am game and he missed 39 games last season after taking a nasty fall and suffering a right iliac wing fracture in his pelvis during a game against the Golden State Warriors. The first was a fluke injury that could have happened to anyone, but the second raised concerns about his thin frame among those who discuss the NBA.
That said, Holmgren played all 82 games in his second season and has stayed healthy throughout both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 playoffs.
Before his hip injury this season, Holmgren appeared to have turned a corner offensively. The often gawky, awkward look of his offensive game felt much more crisp and comfortable. His defense has never wavered, and despite his unusual frame, he has long been one of, if not the best, rim defender in the NBA.
Suppose he can return to that offensive form next season with more time away from his devastating injury that kept him in bed for weeks. In that case, OKC’s Big 3 of Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams will only get scarier, and that’s saying a lot for a group that just won a championship with only one of its members over 25.
