Since he was drafted second overall back in 2022, OKC Thunder big man Chet Holmgren's career in Bricktown had been going swimmingly -- that is, until he ran into Victor Wembanyama in this past Conference Finals.
Holmgren's performance was abysmal. He was outmatched by Wemby in virtually every aspect of the game, culminating in a Game 7 disappearing act in which he attempted just two shots.
Now, in mid-July, the Spurs' center just gave the Thunder organization one more reason to doubt their long-term commitment to Holmgren.
On Saturday, news broke that Victor Wembanyama signed an extension with San Antonio worth $252 million. He elected to sign a max extension instead of a supermax, thus saving the team around $50 million over the next five years.
Wemby's decision came as a shock to many, and it is the last thing OKC wants to hear. Now, both Wembanyama and Homgren share almost identical contracts... all while possessing two very different skill levels.
Victor Wembanyama just put Thunder at major long-term disadvantage
Wembanyama's new extension will kick in beginning in the 2027-28 season, when he will earn $43.5 million. Holmgren will earn $44.8 million in the same year.
The glaring difference is that one is considered by many to be a top-five player in the league, while the other is still trying to find what position he can be most effective at.
Holmgren's inability to defend the five has been a topic of conversation that extends beyond the Western Conference Finals. Even in the previous year, when they won the NBA Finals, coach Mark Daigneault elected to put guard Alex Caruso on Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic for long stretches of their seven-game second-round series.
Meanwhile, Holmgren could be seen repeatedly getting bullied by the larger center.
Wemby's dominance only accelerated the debate. As a result, Holmgren finds himself in a unique position this offseason. He is too small to defend centers, but questions about his agility and outside shooting prevent him from being a full-time perimeter player.
Wemby's signing means Holmgren has nowhere left to hide
Now that the two big men have near-identical contracts, it is even more challenging to discuss either one without mentioning the other. Both Holmgren and Wembanyama have similar skill sets, possess similarly slender builds, and have a lengthy history of playing against each other dating back to 2021.
Of course, one has shown substantial prowess over the other -- it will be difficult for the Thunder to justify retaining Holmgren for the duration of his contract when their Western Conference rival boasts a player of higher quality at the same price.
If the Thunder aren't careful, Wemby's new contract could turn Chet's salary into a liability.
As the Gonzaga product begins to soak up a larger portion of the payroll beginning in 2026-27, it will be worth monitoring whether general manager Sam Presti decides to keep Victor Wembanyama's stunt double on the roster.
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