Chet Holmgren Gets Candid About Thunder’s Painful Offseason Departures
After falling short in the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, the Oklahoma City Thunder have undergone plenty of notable roster changes.
Oklahoma City saw Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins depart for the Atlanta Hawks, while Isaiah Joe has joined the Detroit Pistons. Although these were tough to see, star big man Chet Holmgren acknowledged that they come with the territory of being in the NBA.
“That’s how the business of this game goes,” Holmgren said at a USA Basketball Foundation charity event in Southern California via ESPN. “No team, all 17 guys, sticks together forever. But it doesn’t make it hurt less when you see guys go. At the same time, I’m excited for [Dort and Wiggins] and the opportunity they’re going to have in Atlanta. I’m happy for whatever major milestones they reach over there.”
The Thunder may have lost some key role players, but they have managed to keep the bulk of their core group together this offseason. Holmgren remains a huge part of that puzzle, and general manager Sam Presti has shown over the last few seasons that he can add more talent that fits the team’s identity.
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Oklahoma City has become a fixture among the league’s top teams, fueled by its young core aligned under long-term deals. Teams such as the Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Lakers will be challengers for the top spot in the stacked Western Conference.
