In his pre-draft media availability, Gonzaga forward Chet Holmgren spoke heavily about the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team he has been linked to at the No. 2 spot throughout the draft process.
Holmgren refused to list the teams he’s worked out for and played it very safe when speaking publicly. He said he would love to be drafted by any of the teams and is excited to put in the work.
“At the end of the day, it’s gonna be a complete blessing to have an NBA jersey and put that hat on draft night. No matter where it is, it’s not up to me at the end of the day. No matter where it is, I’m going to lace my shoes up and get to work as soon as I touch down in the city”
When asked about the young core of the Thunder, Holmgren had major compliments to hand out on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey.
“I feel like I could fit in with almost anybody. I feel like I’m somebody who highlights other players’ skills as well as finds where to fit in with my skills. I feel like I have a wide variety of skills that compare well with anybody — especially a point guard like Josh Giddey, who has great vision, knows how to get into the teeth of defense and distribute the ball. (It) makes life easy for me and being a lob threat, as well as being able to open up the floor for him, as well spacing the floor — things like that. And then, with Shai, he doesn’t really need any help from anybody. He’s a hell of a player. He went to get to wherever he wants to on the floor and make things happen on his own. In terms of spacing the floor and figuring out where to fit in with those guys (and) what they’d like to do and how to compare, I feel like that’d be an easy transition.”
Holmgren also said he respects general manager Sam Presti a lot and calls the Thunder a great organization with great people and said that the team has a vision on what the future holds.
As mentioned earlier, Holmgren has been linked heavily to the Thunder for the No. 2 spot by most draft experts. Reports have even came out suggesting Holmgren prefers to go to Oklahoma City over Orlando. The 2022 NBA draft is scheduled for Thursday, June 23.
