New Chet Holmgren Trade Rumors Reveal Thunder's Stance amid Fan Backlash for Play vs. Wemby, Spurs

The Oklahoma City Thunder don't seem particularly inclined toward trading Chet Holmgren despite the struggles he had against Victor Wembanyama during the Western Conference Finals.

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, "sources insist that trading Holmgren is not part of the plan."

Fischer added, "As one close observer to the playoff exit of last season's champions put it to The Stein Line: 'He's the best defensive player in the league... aside from one.' That might no longer be a consensus opinion after the series Holmgren had, but the moves Oklahoma City is expected to make are more likely to involve the Nos. 12, 17 and 37 picks it holds in the fast-approaching draft. Or, perhaps, by trading away Isaiah Joe or Aaron Wiggins to create some financial flexibility as the dreaded second apron looms."

The 24-year-old Holmgren undoubtedly had a miserable Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, averaging just 10.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 27.3 percent from three and only attempting 7.3 shots from the field per game.

Wemby, literally and figuratively, towered above him. And it came at the worst possible time for the Thunder, both given the stakes and the fact that Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell missed big chunks of the series, leaving Shai Gilgeous-Alexander without much help in the scoring department.

But one bad series does not define a player, and Holmgren already helped lead the Thunder to one title. He remains one of the impactful rim-protectors in the sport, averaging 2.1 blocks per game in his career, and his ability to stretch the floor offensively (36.9 percent from three across three seasons) is equally valuable.

Still, you have to wonder if the Thunder might be inclined this summer to at least consider what a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo could provide for them. Surely in such a deal, Holmgren would be included in the package. What they would lose in rim protection they would replace with the Greek Freak's marauding drives to the basket and offensive gravity.

The Thunder don't seem inclined to break up their young core, and they can make a strong argument that injuries derailed them more than anything else during this year's playoffs. But Holmgren's performance in the Western Conference Finals was undoubtedly concerning, given that Wemby and the Spurs will be a threat for years to come.

At the very least, it gave the Thunder something to consider this summer.