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Thunder Reject Trade Interest in Chet Holmgren

Keeping Holmgren off the market reflects the Thunder’s intent to preserve their core as they manage cap pressure from his incoming rookie extension.

Overview

  • The Thunder told multiple teams calling about Holmgren that he is not available, a stance first reported Monday by league insiders and team reporters.
  • General manager Sam Presti publicly backed Holmgren, saying the team trusts him to work on his game and remain part of Oklahoma City’s long-term core.
  • Holmgren struggled in the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs, including a four-point Game 7 and series scoring well below his regular-season form.
  • Holmgren is set to begin a five-year rookie-scale extension worth roughly $239 million and is projected to earn about $41 million next season, a reality that tightens the Thunder’s short-term salary flexibility.
  • Because of that contract pressure, the Thunder plan to prioritize smaller moves—using draft picks, exercising or declining team options, and trading role players—rather than pursuing a blockbuster swap.