The Thunder have taken another step forward in locking up their young championship core for the future.
Oklahoma City has agreed to a five-year contract extension with Chet Holmgren that could reach $250 million, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania.
Chet Holmgren celebrates after winning the NBA Finals. NBAE via Getty Images
The 23-year-old played a key role in the Thunder’s championship this season and will now sign the coveted rookie maximum extension.
While Holmgren missed 50 games during the regular season with a pelvic injury, he returned for the playoffs and played 23 games in the Thunder’s run, averaging 15.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 29.8 minutes per game.
Chet Holmgren is entering his fourth year in the NBA. AP
Holmgren started all 23 games for the Thunder in their finals run. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Holmgren’s extension comes just a week after his Oklahoma City teammate and NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed a $285 million extension with the team.
The next move for the franchise is likely to retain Jalen Williams on a similar rookie maximum extension as Holmgren in an effort to keep the primary core together moving forward.
Charania reported that Williams and the Thunder have “momentum” in coming to an agreement soon.
The Thunder drafted Holmgren and Williams together in 2022, giving them the flexibility to sign each of them to the rookie scale extension, which players drafted in the first round become eligible for following their third season.