Chet Holmgren entered the Western Conference Finals as one of the key pillars of Oklahoma City’s future. But after the Thunder fell short against the Spurs, criticism surrounding the young big man started getting louder, and Kendrick Perkins didn’t hold back.
“I would trade him before the draft,” Perkins said on ESPN’s First Take. “And again, it’s not what he did. It’s how he did it, right? Again, not being aggressive in a Game 7 on your home floor is one thing, not trying to attack the basket and not trying to shoot the rock is another. But the way that you got punked, the way that they snatch your soul… And this wasn’t just a Wemby thing.”
Holmgren struggled throughout the series against San Antonio, averaging 10.7 points and 7.1 rebounds while often looking overpowered physically.
Perkins pointed directly to moments where smaller Spurs defenders appeared to outmuscle the Thunder big man.
“So what San Antonio did all series long was: Chet was guarded by a smaller guy,” Perkins continued. “We got a clip that showed a video, I believe it was Vassell, blocking his shot in Game six and talking a whole lot of noise to him.
“This is a guy that is smaller than you. We can pull up countless videos and show the times that Chet Holmgren was getting bodied and put in the basket by smaller guys.”
Perkins then questioned Holmgren’s response to the physicality and pressure of the moment.
“It’s one thing not to show up and say, ‘You know what? At least he went down swinging.’ But he didn’t swing a punch. That shows no heart whatsoever. And the one thing that Oklahoma City is not, one word we could never put on them, is soft.”
Despite the harsh criticism, there has been no indication the Thunder are considering moving Holmgren. The organization still reportedly views him as a major part of its long-term core alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.
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