{"id":751335,"date":"2026-06-03T11:24:42","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T11:24:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/751335\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T11:24:42","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T11:24:42","slug":"thinking-thunder-will-trade-for-giannis-or-trade-away-chet-holmgren-think-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/751335\/","title":{"rendered":"Thinking Thunder will trade for Giannis or trade away Chet Holmgren? Think again"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jalen Williams<\/a> scratched his chin, looked at the ceiling and sighed. He was reluctant to entertain the hypothetical.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow big a difference do you feel like you could\u2019ve made if you had not only been in this series the whole time, but felt like your complete self?\u201d<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

The Thunder\u2019s Game 7 loss to the Spurs<\/a> in the Western Conference finals \u2014\u00a0a game Williams didn\u2019t play in due to a recurring hamstring injury \u2014\u00a0was less than 24 hours old. Williams, the Thunder\u2019s second-or third-best player depending on your taste, had played a grand total of 55 minutes in the series, and he had only looked like himself for 45 of those. J-Dub gave it a go in Game 6, playing 10 minutes off the bench, but his physical powers had been zapped. The guy could barely move.<\/p>\n

But what if his hamstring(s) had held up?<\/p>\n

\u201cTo humor your question,\u201d Williams said Sunday in his exit interview, \u201cobviously I think I could have made an impact. I think we could have won if I played. Went to seven (games) with them without me playing. I don\u2019t think I make us worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then he tipped his cap to the Spurs \u2026 yada, yada, yada.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

More: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said OKC Thunder 2025-26 season was ‘failure’. Here’s what he meant<\/a><\/p>\n

1 \/ 12<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 30, 2026.<\/p>\n

(BRYAN TERRY\/THE OKLAHOMAN)\"\"<\/p>\n

1 \/ 12<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 30, 2026.<\/p>\n

(BRYAN TERRY\/THE OKLAHOMAN)\"\"<\/p>\n

2 \/ 12<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe arrives before Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 30, 2026.<\/p>\n

(BRYAN TERRY\/THE OKLAHOMAN)\"\"<\/p>\n

3 \/ 12<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 30, 2026.<\/p>\n

(BRYAN TERRY\/THE OKLAHOMAN)\"\"<\/p>\n

4 \/ 12<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama arrives before during Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 30, 2026.<\/p>\n

(BRYAN TERRY\/THE OKLAHOMAN)\"\"<\/p>\n

5 \/ 12<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle arrives before Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 30, 2026.<\/p>\n

(BRYAN TERRY\/THE OKLAHOMAN)\"\"<\/p>\n

6 \/ 12<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein arrives before Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 30, 2026.<\/p>\n

(BRYAN TERRY\/THE OKLAHOMAN)\"\"<\/p>\n

7 \/ 12<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace arrives before Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 30, 2026.<\/p>\n

(BRYAN TERRY\/THE OKLAHOMAN)\"\"<\/p>\n

8 \/ 12<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren arrives before Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 30, 2026.<\/p>\n

(BRYAN TERRY\/THE OKLAHOMAN)\"\"<\/p>\n

9 \/ 12<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort arrives before Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 30, 2026.<\/p>\n

(BRYAN TERRY\/THE OKLAHOMAN)\"\"<\/p>\n

10 \/ 12<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe arrives before Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 30, 2026.<\/p>\n

(BRYAN TERRY\/THE OKLAHOMAN)\"\"<\/p>\n

11 \/ 12<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City’s Isaiah Joe (11) warms up before Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA playoffs between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, May 30, 2026.<\/p>\n

(SARAH PHIPPS\/THE OKLAHOMAN)\"\"<\/p>\n

12 \/ 12<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 NBA Playoffs WCF<\/p>\n

Playoff shirts are pictured before Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA playoffs between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, May 30, 2026.<\/p>\n

(SARAH PHIPPS\/THE OKLAHOMAN)<\/p>\n

I happen to agree with Williams, whose case was based on simple logic. Williams makes the Thunder<\/a> better. The Thunder almost beat the Spurs largely without Williams. The 25-year-old who made third-team All-NBA a year ago only played in one full game \u2014\u00a0a game the Thunder lost, to be fair. But no one thinks the Dub-less version of the Thunder is a more dangerous playoff team.<\/p>\n

And I\u2019ll go a step further. I think the Thunder could have and should have beaten the Spurs without Jalen Williams<\/a>. IF \u2026 that is, OKC had a healthy Ajay Mitchell<\/a>. The Thunder didn\u2019t need both of its secondary and tertiary offensive engines to survive San Antonio<\/a>, but it did need one of them to ease the burden on SGA. And even then, it almost didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Still, the Thunder almost won.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Which brings us to the Giannis of it all. No, the Thunder isn\u2019t going to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And the Chet of it all. No, the Thunder isn\u2019t going to trade away Chet Holmgren<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Anyone who suggests otherwise has a severe case of short-sightedness. And anyone who thinks the Thunder would even consider such ideas hasn\u2019t been paying attention.<\/p>\n

Thunder general manager Sam Presti<\/a> is bold. Remember the Paul George<\/a> trades? But he\u2019s not impulsive. And he sure the heck isn\u2019t going to take a wrecking ball to his precious creation at the sign of the first crack. Especially when bad luck is mostly to blame.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Which, ironically enough, injury luck seemed to be on the Thunder\u2019s side given the early-series concerns about Spurs<\/a> guards De\u2019Aaron Fox<\/a> and Dylan Harper<\/a>. But then Fox and Harper were good to go only for Williams and Mitchell to suffer debilitating injuries.<\/p>\n

OKC Thunder roster primer: Draft picks, contracts heading into 2026 NBA offseason<\/a><\/p>\n

\"MILWAUKEE,<\/p>\n

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 21: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks defends against Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum on January 21, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Speaking of injuries, Giannis is a top-five player in the world when healthy, but that\u2019s the catch. He\u2019s a 31-year-old forward whose game is predicated on physicality, and who hasn\u2019t been able to stay healthy in the playoffs. Including J-Dub in a Giannis trade is a non-starter. Williams is 25. Are his hamstring injuries really going to be a chronic issue? Even so, how does getting older and more expensive make sense for the Thunder?<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

OK, what about Holmgren, though? His aversion to doing anything offensively against the Spurs was jarring. That he cowered when the Thunder needed him the most \u2014 when it was without Williams and Mitchell \u2014\u00a0was especially concerning. It would\u2019ve been asking too much of Holmgren to create offense in the absence of the guards, but how about catching the ball cleanly and shooting open 3-pointers? I thought Holmgren, an All-NBA player in the regular season, was the Thunder\u2019s playoff MVP through the first two rounds. And then the Spurs series happened. Whatever ailed him, it\u2019s way more than a Victor Wembanyama<\/a> problem.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the truth: Without Jalen Williams, without Ajay Mitchell and with the worst version of Chet Holmgren we\u2019ve ever seen, the Thunder trailed by three points heading into the fourth quarter of Game 7.<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was masterful in Game 7<\/a>. But the Thunder got to a Game 7 despite a \u201cC-\u201d series from its MVP \u2014\u00a0my grade, not his. Maybe it\u2019s not fair to judge him so harshly given how little help he received, and how terrifying that Spurs defense is, but that\u2019s part of being a superstar. SGA needed an efficient Game 7 to crack 40% shooting for the series.<\/p>\n

Gilgeous-Alexander said he didn\u2019t have a hard conversation with Holmgren after the series.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

\u201cI also don\u2019t feel like I need to,\u201d SGA said. \u201cI didn\u2019t perform my greatest this series either. Chet won\u2019t come to me with a development plan for the summer, you know what I mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

Then SGA repeated something he\u2019s said at least a dozen times about Holmgren.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe version of Chet that we have today is the worst version of Chet from now on,\u201d Gilgeous-Alexander said. \u201cHe\u2019s going to get better at basketball. He\u2019s just going to be a better player because of the makeup he (has), the talent he has. I don\u2019t need to advise Chet. He\u2019ll figure it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

More: Lindy Waters III, once a Thunder fan and player, ousts OKC with Spurs to make NBA Finals<\/a><\/p>\n

It might be time to retire the \u201cworst version of Chet\u201d line. I get what SGA is saying. Holmgren just turned 24. He\u2019s going to improve. But we also shouldn\u2019t act like Holmgren is still a project. He made third-team All-NBA and was the second best defender in the world this side of Wembanyama. Holmgren was a top-three player on an NBA title team.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

But he has to be better. Especially if the Thunder has to play the Spurs year after year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Agreed. To an extent.<\/p>\n

Because here\u2019s another hypothetical: What if the Thunder had a healthy Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell and still got the same disappointing version of Chet? What if it had Jalen Williams OR Ajay Mitchell and still got this version of Chet?<\/p>\n

Would the Thunder have won the series? I\u2019d answer yes and yes. Will the Thunder need Holmgren to play better against the Spurs in the future even if OKC is at full health? Yeah, because just as the Thunder is young and still improving, the Spurs are even younger with even more improvement to come.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

The Spurs<\/a> absolutely deserve to be in the NBA Finals<\/a>. They also benefited from injury luck along the way. Just as the Thunder benefited from injury luck last year on its way to the title.<\/p>\n

The Thunder has a championship core of SGA, J-Dub and Chet<\/a> \u2014\u00a0three players set to enter their age 28, 25 and 24 seasons. Each of them have already inked long-term contract extensions that will kick in next season for J-Dub and Chet and two seasons from now for SGA.<\/p>\n

The bill is coming<\/a>. As is a new arena, practically gifted by the city to the team with the expectation that Clay Bennett and his ownership group will pay to keep the Thunder\u2019s stars in place.<\/p>\n

Moves, some big, will have to be made. That starts this offseason, when the Thunder will negotiate with two starters in Lu Dort<\/a> and Isaiah Hartenstein<\/a> \u2014\u00a0both of whom have team options for next season.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Presti planned for the moment when the primes of Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Holmgren would overlap. That\u2019s yet to happen, by the way, and the Thunder already has one championship and was one win away from playing for another.<\/p>\n

A seismic move like acquiring Antetokounmpo or shopping Holmgren would disrupt the Thunder\u2019s chemistry, competitive timeline and financial flexibility. And doing so after a season in which untimely injuries, more than anything else, derailed a team that we were just referring to as a potential dynasty would be the most un-Presti like move imaginable.<\/p>\n

Now that\u2019s a hypothetical not worth entertaining.<\/p>\n

Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at\u00a0jmussatto@oklahoman.com<\/a>. Support Joe’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a\u00a0digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Why OKC Thunder isn’t trading for Giannis or trading Chet Holmgren<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Jalen Williams scratched his chin, looked at the ceiling and sighed. He was reluctant to entertain the hypothetical.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":751336,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3783],"tags":[5577,7,366,1314,839,226,123,949,364,3304,6,878,310,475,179,3966,3965,526,969,209,534,2594,312,693],"class_list":["post-751335","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-oklahoma-city-thunder","tag-ajay-mitchell","tag-basketball","tag-chet-holmgren","tag-deaaron-fox","tag-dort","tag-dylan-harper","tag-giannis-antetokounmpo","tag-isaiah-hartenstein","tag-jalen-williams","tag-lindy-waters-iii","tag-nba","tag-okc-thunder","tag-oklahoma","tag-oklahoma-city","tag-oklahoma-city-thunder","tag-oklahomacity","tag-oklahomacitythunder","tag-paul-george","tag-san-antonio","tag-shai-gilgeous-alexander","tag-spurs","tag-the-spurs","tag-thunder","tag-victor-wembanyama"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/116685928415350710","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/751335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=751335"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/751335\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/751336"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=751335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=751335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=751335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}