Back when the OKC Thunder shelled out a whopping $250 million max deal in the direction of Chet Holmgren this past summer, it appeared many were split on the splashy decision.
To some, the move was a no-brainer, especially following their 2025 Championship run. To others, it was perceived as the "dumbest contract ever signed in the history of the NBA."
Now, over three months removed since pen met paper, it appears consensus opinion is that Oklahoma City made the right call to lock down the big man to such a deal.
In fact, after just a small sample size thus far into the season, the folks at ESPN are officially going as far as to predict that Holmgren will wind up making his first All-Star nod this coming February.
Thunder big Chet Holmgren tabbed as first-time All-Star threat
Holmgren was one of 10 names mentioned as a potential first-time All-Star candidate by writer Kevin Pelton, and, ultimately, is believed to be a serious contender to make the American pool.
Frankly, the reasoning for why he's an admittedly "way-too-early" option is painfully obvious.
In the absence of All-NBA forward Jalen Williams (wrist), Holmgren has stepped up in a huge way for the Thunder, especially in the scoring department.
Through four games played, the 23-year-old is boasting new career-highs in points (23.0), rebounds (10.3), and assists (1.3), while shooting 56.9 percent from the floor and 41.7 percent from deep.
Already, these numbers, coupled with his team's undefeated record, should have him on track to be a prime candidate to be selected to the Los Angeles-based mid-season exhibition.
However, when taking into account the fact that he's off to a slow start in the defensive department (typically his bread and butter), specifically when it comes to his blocks production where he's averaging a career-low of 1.3, and thus should only be expected to up his production as the year progresses, there's a case to be made that his odds of receiving his first All-Star nod are only bound to increase.
Now, granted, at this point the only real drawback to penciling him in as a sure-fire selection is the same thing that it's always been -- injuries.
Last season, after getting off to a similarly hot start, the big man sustained a right iliac wing fracture that sidelined him for three months, thus ruining any chances of becoming a 2025 All-Star.
Already this season, Holmgren has missed three games due to a lingering back issue, though, as Pelton acknowledged in his piece, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault has publicly declared that the reason for his extended absence is that the team is being "conservative" with their approach to his recovery.
Assuming that this is true, and Chet can remain healthy moving forward while sustaining his current level of play, there should be little doubt that he'll be a leading league figure in pursuit of being labeled a first-time All-Star.