Holmgren Details 'Family' Loss After Thunder Trade Three Title Contributors

Chet Holmgren addressed the trades of Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe following his 17.1 PPG All-Star season.

LADERA RANCH, Calif. — Chet Holmgren addressed the Oklahoma City Thunder's roster overhaul on Saturday, following an offseason where executive vice president Sam Presti traded three members of the 2025 championship rotation for seven future second-round picks. The departures included perimeter defender Luguentz Dort and reserve wing Aaron Wiggins, who were sent to the Atlanta Hawks in separate deals. Additionally, backup shooting specialist Isaiah Joe was traded to the Detroit Pistons. Holmgren, who averaged 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game last season, described the exit of his teammates as "like losing a family member."

These cap-cutting maneuvers allowed Oklahoma City to retain center Isaiah Hartenstein through a three-year, $75 million free-agent contract. The financial restructuring follows a season where Holmgren earned his first All-Star selection but ended with a Game 7 loss to Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals. In that deciding game, the 24-year-old big man recorded four points and four rebounds. The Thunder entered that series dealing with injuries to All-Star forward Jalen Williams and guard Ajay Mitchell.

Roster Changes Following 2025 Championship

Oklahoma City’s recent transactions involve moving established starters and rotation players to manage a payroll that includes lucrative long-term deals for two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren. Dort served as a long-term starter and defensive anchor before the trade to Atlanta. Holmgren spoke at a USA Basketball Foundation charity event in Southern California, noting that while no group of 17 players stays together indefinitely, the personal impact of the trades remains significant. He expressed excitement for the new opportunities Dort and Wiggins will receive with the Hawks.

Despite the roster turnover, the Thunder remain a betting favorite for the 2027 NBA title. Holmgren emphasized his trust in the front office's strategy to "get it right" while focusing on his own summer development. The team is coming off a two-year stretch that saw them defeat the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals before falling short of a repeat in 2026.

Lessons from the 2026 Western Conference Finals

The seven-game elimination by the Spurs served as a reminder of the difficulty of winning consecutive titles. Holmgren noted that the 2026 postseason taught the same lesson as their championship run: there are no guarantees regardless of the work put in. The Thunder big man stated that coming up short does not change the team's internal process. He remains committed to his fourth professional season in Oklahoma City after proving his durability and production as a core member of the franchise's frontcourt.

Financial Strategy and Hartenstein’s Extension

By shedding the salaries of Dort, Wiggins, and Joe, the Thunder prioritized the $75 million commitment to Hartenstein to stabilize their interior rotation. This move aligns with Presti’s strategy of accumulating draft capital, evidenced by the seven second-round selections acquired in the three trades. Holmgren, entering his fourth year, acknowledged that the business side of the NBA necessitates these shifts. He concluded his remarks by stating his job is to remain in the gym to ensure his performance meets the team's championship standards for the upcoming 2027 campaign.