Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti expects center Chet Holmgren to use the bitter end of last season’s playoff exit as fuel for internal growth, dismissing outside criticism and trade speculation surrounding the franchise’s young core.
Presti Backs Holmgren After Tough Series Against San Antonio
For Sam Presti and the Oklahoma City front office, the organizational stance on Chet Holmgren remains unchanged following a difficult conclusion to their postseason run. The young pivot faced heavy scrutiny following a decisive Game 7 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the conference finals. During that closing matchup, Holmgren was held to just four points on only two field-goal attempts, while opposing star Victor Wembanyama commanded the floor.
Describing the player as an elite competitor, the Thunder executive emphasized that Holmgren’s drive shows up daily in his preparation, planning, and mental approach rather than needing internet commentary to spark improvement.
Those comments echo Presti’s prior statements from June, when management quickly batted down any trade rumors by pointing to the center’s vital role as a primary engine behind the team’s ongoing success.
Statistical Context and Regular-Season Production
Holmgren enters the upcoming campaign under a contract paying 41.5 million dollars for the season, with expectations for a sharp offensive rebound. His production during the Western Conference finals dipped to averages of 10.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game—figures that fell below his usual high-level contributions for Oklahoma City.
A look back at his recent regular-season numbers illustrates his standard impact on the floor:
- 2023-24 Season: 82 games played, 29.26 minutes per game, 53.0 percent shooting from the field, 37.0 percent from three-point range, 16.5 points, and 7.9 total rebounds.
- 2024-25 Season: 32 games played, 27.24 minutes per game, 49.0 percent shooting from the field, 37.9 percent from three-point range, 15.0 points, and 8.0 total rebounds.
- 2025-26 Season: 69 games played, 28.57 minutes per game, 55.7 percent shooting from the field, 36.2 percent from three-point range, 17.1 points, and 8.9 total rebounds.
Presti noted that while Holmgren’s output dipped in that specific series, enduring and learning from such struggles is a characteristic common among historically great NBA players. The general manager expressed complete confidence that the seven-footer possesses the intrinsic motivation necessary to handle high-stakes playoff moments and turn them into long-term development.
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