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Holmgren Gets Real: Thunder Exits Just ‘Business of the Game’
Chet Holmgren Says Goodbye to Teammates Feels Like "Losing a Family Member"
The Big News in Simple Words
Imagine you’re on a really great sports team with your best friends. You win a huge championship together! But then, the grown-ups in charge say some of your friends have to go play for other teams. That’s exactly what happened to Chet Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Important Point: Chet Holmgren is a tall basketball player (7 feet!) who plays center for the Thunder. He was an All-Star last year, which means he was one of the best players in the whole league.
Who Left the Team?
Three of Chet’s teammates were traded to other teams:
| Player | What He Did Well | New Team |
|---|---|---|
| Luguentz Dort | Amazing at stopping the other team’s best player | Atlanta Hawks |
| Aaron Wiggins | Helpful backup player who could do a little bit of everything | Atlanta Hawks |
| Isaiah Joe | Really good at shooting 3-pointers | Detroit Pistons |
What’s a "trade"? It’s like trading Pokémon cards, but with real people! Team A gives Player X to Team B, and Team B gives something back (usually future draft picks or other players).
Why Did the Thunder Trade Them?
The Money Problem (Salary Cap)
The NBA has a rule called the salary cap – think of it like an allowance. Each team only gets a certain amount of "money points" to spend on players.
The Thunder have three superstars on expensive long contracts:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (two-time MVP – Most Valuable Player)
- Jalen Williams (All-Star forward)
- Chet Holmgren (All-Star center)
Because these three cost so much, the team didn’t have enough "money points" left to keep everyone else.
The Solution
Sam Presti (the team’s boss, called a General Manager) made a smart move:
- Traded Dort, Wiggins, and Joe
- Got 7 future second-round draft picks in return
- This freed up enough "money points" to sign Isaiah Hartenstein (a really good center) for 3 years, $75 million
What Chet Had to Say
It Hurts, But He Understands
"That’s how the business of this game goes… But it doesn’t make it hurt less when you see guys go."
Chet compared it to losing a family member – that’s how close they were!
But He’s Happy for His Friends
"I’m excited for [Dort and Wiggins] and the opportunity they’re going to have in Atlanta. I’m happy for whatever major milestones they reach over there."
He Trusts the Boss
"I have complete trust in our team and the moves they make. I trust what they’re doing is to get it right."
His Job Now
"It’s my job to be in the gym all summer to get my stuff right."
The Thunder’s Recent Story
2025: CHAMPIONS!
- Beat the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals
- Won their first championship since moving to Oklahoma City
2026: So Close, Yet So Far
- Made it to the Western Conference Finals (final 4 teams!)
- Lost to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 (the deciding game)
- Victor Wembanyama (a 7’4" French superstar) led the Spurs
- Chet’s teammates Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell were hurt
- Chet struggled in Game 7: only 4 points and 4 rebounds
The Big Lesson Chet Learned
Chet said the 2026 season taught him the same thing as the championship year:
- Winning is incredibly hard
- So much goes into it – luck, health, timing, everything
- No guarantees – you can work super hard and still lose
- You have to be okay with that – trust the process anyway
- Coming up short doesn’t change how you work
ELI5 Translation: It’s like studying really hard for a test, doing your best, but still getting a B. That doesn’t mean you stop studying! You keep doing the right things because that’s how you get As most of the time.
Summary
- Three beloved teammates (Dort, Wiggins, Joe) were traded away to save money
- Chet Holmgren is sad but understands it’s "business"
- The Thunder kept their three superstars (SGA, Jalen, Chet)
- They signed a new center (Hartenstein) using the money they saved
- Goal: Win the 2027 championship!
- Chet’s mindset: Trust the bosses, work hard all summer, accept that winning isn’t guaranteed
FAQ: Questions You Might Have
Why couldn’t they just pay everyone?
A: The NBA has a strict salary cap – a spending limit. If teams go over, they pay huge penalties. The Thunder’s three stars take up most of the allowed money.
What are "second-round picks" and why do they matter?
A: Every year, new players enter the NBA through a draft. First-round picks are the best prospects. Second-round picks are later choices – they’re like lottery tickets. Getting 7 of them gives the Thunder more chances to find future stars cheaply.
Who is Isaiah Hartenstein?
A: A 7-foot center who’s really good at defense, rebounding, and passing. He played for the New York Knicks last year and was one of the best backup centers in the league. Now he’s a Thunder starter!
Will the Thunder be good next year?
A: Yes! They still have three All-Stars in their early 20s, added a great center, and their boss (Sam Presti) is considered one of the smartest in the NBA. They’re betting favorites to win the 2027 title.
What does "trust the process" mean?
A: It means believing that if you do the right things every day – practice, eat well, study film, be a good teammate – good results will come eventually, even if not immediately. It’s about focusing on what you can control.
