Chet Holmgren officially became just the seventh player in OKC Thunder history to earn an All-Star nod this season.
Unfortunately, Zach Lowe doesn't believe this momentum will carry him toward becoming the seventh member of the organization to receive an All-NBA selection, for, to him, it all comes down to one major factor: his lack of an offensive game.
Yes, Holmgren is a stretch 7-footer who, through 55 games played here in 2025-26, is averaging a career-best 17.1 points on 55.1 percent shooting from the floor.
However, most of his scoring damage has come as a tertiary option, while guys like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ajay Mitchell, and, in sporadic stints when he's been available, Jalen Williams have drawn a defense's attention away.
During a recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Lowe highlighted how Holmgren has failed to register 20 or more points in a game since January 27. His 12-point performance against the Chicago Bulls Tuesday night has made it 13 straight games with these sub-20 finishes.
Because of this, the veteran sportswriter believes the junior is "on the outside looking in" on receiving an All-NBA honor.
Chet Holmgren has shied away from being a go-to option for Thunder
The most bewildering part of this stretch is that Holmgren has had his opportunities to shine, as both SGA and J-Dub have been shelved due to injuries for much of it.
In the games where Chet has been the lone member of Oklahoma City's Big Three out on the hardwood during this 13-game span, he's found himself averaging just 14.0 points while shooting 41.7 percent from the floor and 25.0 percent from distance.
More often than not, he's fallen behind fan favorites, albeit role players, like Isaiah Joe and Jared McCain in the scoring department, both of whom combined for a whopping 39 points on 50.0 percent shooting from the floor in the club's 116-108 win over Chicago.
Of the nine Thunder players who logged double-digit minutes on the night, Holmgren finished sixth in scoring.
For someone as highly touted as he is, his lack of involvement as a go-to option in coach Mark Daigneault's offensive scheme is a tad alarming. To Lowe, it's enough reason to think twice about casting a vote his way in the All-NBA polls.
Though he acknowledged that the big man's defense has been elite enough to keep him in the conversation, and that there are still 19 games remaining for him to make his final case, with only 15 players earning the illustrious distinction, Holmgren may end up falling just short.