The Oklahoma City Thunder have to decide whether Chet Holmgren is a superstar who helps them win multiple championships or if it's time to move. There were no questions after he finished third-team All-NBA and was second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Sadly, the conference finals changed things, especially as Victor Wembanyama figures to stand in OKC’s way for the next 15 years.
Holmgren averaged just 10.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in the seven-game series loss. He took 7.3 field goal attempts per contest and went three of 11 from 3-point range. The 24-year-old was tentative, and things were even worse in Games 1 and 7. It left Chet handling the brunt of the criticism, especially with Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell injured.
Oklahoma City is expected to bring Holmgren back, but it isn’t an easy call. They need him to be significantly better against his biggest rival. Chet has struggled against Wemby for years, and it could ultimately be the reason that the Thunder move on.
Thunder face difficult Chet Holmgren decision after WCF loss
This is so difficult because Chet is the second-best defender in the world. He was an All-Star and made first-team All-Defense this season. The Thunder looked like the best team all season, but Wemby might be Holmgren’s kryptonite.
Chet Holmgren is a Top 30 player in the world against 28 NBA teams.
— Nick Crain (@CrainNBA) May 31, 2026
He’s a liability a lot of the time against the San Antonio Spurs.
Given that is *likely* the Thunder’s primary hurdle for the next decade, that makes this one of the most fascinating individual player…
Fans saw Karl-Anthony Towns get the best of Wembanyama in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. That could be a blueprint for Holmgren to use in the future. Chet has to be the same confident and impactful player that he is against the other 28 NBA teams. Fans didn’t see that in the conference finals, and that is the biggest worry.
This matchup isn’t going away. Wemby is 22 years old and on pace to be an all-time great. The Spurs have Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, and De’Aaron Fox locked in long-term. It will be OKC versus San Antonio for years to come. The Thunder have to figure out this matchup.
They got to Game 7, but Wembanyama, Castle, and Harper will only get better. Oklahoma City will need all hands on deck to become the dynasty fans expected after winning the title in 2025.
The front office should be watching closely every time Holmgren matches up against Wemby. Contention windows are short in the second apron era. The Thunder are already facing a spending crunch, and it will only get worse. They can’t afford to waste a year. If Chet can't be a star against San Antonio, the Thunder need to trade him for somebody who can.
Sam Presti never panics. He will give Holmgren another shot to prove himself. The 2027 playoffs will be massive. If the Spurs win again with Chet struggling, the Thunder may be forced to move on. They can’t win the West without defeating the San Antonio. It is their biggest obstacle, and OKC may have to build their roster to win that matchup.
The Oklahoma City Thunder had a Chet Holmgren problem in the Western Conference Finals against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. It already has everyone asking questions and could force action if it happens again. The dynasty is threatened. How will OKC bounce back? If Chet struggles again, it could be time to send him packing. Fans will certainly be watching closely.
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