Chet Holmgren not being forgotten by National Media

The Oklahoma City Thunder are waiting patiently for their prized pick to return to the hardwood after selecting Chet Holmgren with the second-overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Holmgren has been sidelined since August and will not play this season.

While this season has gone better than many thought it would for the Oklahoma City Thunder, as they are closer to the play-in tournament than the bottom of the standings despite pundits pegging the OKC Thunder for 18-20 wins in the preseason, the fanbase is left wanting more or at least wondering what could have been with a healthy Holmgren.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are without Chet Holmgren for the entire season, and despite other rookies popping onto the scene, the National Media is not forgetting about the Gonzaga big man

The official NBA website released its midseason media survey with a beat writer from each organization voting on various NBA questions. One of the questions posed to the Media was “which rookie will be the best all-around player in five years?”

While most of the votes went as expected, as the Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero took home 73 percent of the vote, Bennedict Mathurin was still able to capture 10 percent of the vote, while Jabari Smith Jr surprisingly grabbed seven percent of the vote. I only say surprising for Smith Jr because many have not been able to see the forest through the trees on his game so far as a rookie. With no real playmaker to help him, Smith Jr took a little longer to adjust to the NBA than expected.

Still, though, the media also threw votes for Chet Holmgren, Jaden Ivey, and Shaedon Sharpe. Despite Holmgren not playing a single minute so far in his NBA career, it is good to see him still earning some respect from the media and not getting overwhelmed with the incredible rookie campaign of Paolo Banchero.

I think it will be tough for anyone to win this honor besides Banchero, but it is not out of the question for Holmgren. The seven-footer was electric at Gonzaga ranking in the 98th percentile offensively according to synergy and the 80th percentile on defense as a college freshman.

We have also seen the big man dominate NBA Summer League alongside Josh Giddey. Now, all that will hold us over until he makes his return to the floor next season is his Summer circuit highlights and Instagram hype videos.

I think Sam Presti made the right choice betting on Holmgren, especially when you factor in the other options on the board with the second overall pick. It is just a gift that is put on layaway for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Chet Holmgren will enter the NBA and immediately impact winning and help this young Thunder roster around him. Spacing the floor, laying screens for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, catching lobs from Josh Giddey, anchoring the defense and protecting the rim down low, and bringing smiles to the fact of OKC fans one game at a time.