When Sam Presti sat down for his annual preseason press conference, the Thunder general manager said all the right things about “turning the page.” But when he was pressed about specific players, two names kept coming up with a different tone: Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.

Holmgren: A Champion Who Still Feels Like a Rookie

At just 23, Chet Holmgren already owns a championship ring. But Presti made clear that Holmgren is still only beginning to discover his full impact.

“What makes Chet who he is isn’t statistics,” Presti said. “It isn’t highlight plays. It’s the things that connect the team to winning. He has this instinctual ability to do that, and he’s been doing it since high school. I think he’ll only be better.”

Holmgren’s first season was anything but smooth. A hip fracture sidelined him early, and he still managed to play just over half the Thunder’s regular-season games. Yet he averaged 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks while altering everything opponents tried at the rim.

Presti believes the next step is natural growth: strength, confidence, and a broader offensive role. “Chet has just started to play NBA basketball,” he said. “He’s still learning the rhythms of the season. He’s still building himself physically. That’s what excites us what he hasn’t done yet.”

Holmgren has already shown he can dominate defensively against playoff competition. Now, the Thunder envision him evolving into a player who dictates games on both ends without needing plays called for him.

“He’s a connector,” Presti explained. “He doesn’t need the ball to change the game. That’s rare and that’s why he’s so valuable to us.”

Williams: A Two-Way Star Hungry for More

If Holmgren is the defensive backbone of OKC’s future, Jalen Williams is quickly becoming its do-everything forward. He’s already earned All-NBA third team and All-Defensive second team honors, and he did so while playing through a torn ligament in his shooting wrist.

Williams underwent surgery in July and has worked relentlessly in his rehab. “He’s done everything he can possibly do,” Presti said. “He wasn’t sitting on the couch staring at his wrist. He’s been working his tail off.”

That drive, Presti says, is why Williams is positioned to make another leap. “Jalen doesn’t just want to be a good player. He wants to be a great player,” he said. “He impacts winning in every way, scoring, defending, facilitating, setting a tone. That’s what separates him.”

Presti also highlighted Williams’ ability to scale up his role without disrupting team chemistry. “He’s got an engine that runs on both ends of the floor,” Presti said. “That gives him such a high floor as a player. From there, he can keep trimming and sharpening different areas to become even more efficient.”

The Thunder’s Future Runs Through Them

Both Holmgren and Williams have already proven themselves on the biggest stage. Holmgren battled against elite bigs during OKC’s title run. Williams played through pain, still producing at an All-NBA level.

Now, as Presti sees it, they’ll define whether the Thunder can sustain success. “When you have guys like Jalen and Chet ambitious, competitive, and committed you have a chance,” he said. “They’ve already impacted winning. And the best part is, they’re just scratching the surface.”

In a league where back-to-back champions have become nearly impossible, Oklahoma City’s best bet isn’t chasing a dynasty by name. It’s letting Holmgren and Williams grow into the players Presti believes they can be: two-way stars who elevate everything around them.

“The process of becoming a great team did not end last season,” Presti said. “And for us, Chet and Jalen are a huge part of why that process is just beginning.”