The Oklahoma City Thunder will look a little different next season, and Chet Holmgren admits saying goodbye to three key teammates hasn’t been easy.
Holmgren reflected on the offseason departures of Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe, acknowledging the emotional side of roster changes despite understanding why they happen.
“That’s how the business of this game goes,” Holmgren said speaking at a USA Basketball Foundation charity event in Southern California. “No team, all 17 guys, sticks together forever. But it doesn’t make it hurt less when you see guys go. At the same time, 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.”
Dort and Wiggins were both traded to the Atlanta Hawks, while Joe was dealt to the Detroit Pistons as Oklahoma City reshaped its payroll. With franchise cornerstones Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Holmgren all committed to long-term contracts, executive vice president Sam Presti moved the trio in deals that brought back seven future second-round draft picks while creating the financial flexibility to re-sign Isaiah Hartenstein.
Holmgren made it clear he has complete faith in the organization’s long-term vision.
“I have complete trust in our team and the moves they make,” Holmgren said. “I trust what they’re doing is to get it right. It’s my job to be in the gym all summer to get my stuff right.”
Holmgren, who earned his first All-Star selection after averaging 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks last season, believes the disappointment has only reinforced what it takes to win at the highest level.
“We learned the same lesson [in 2026] as the year that we won it: It was almost more of a reminder of just how hard it is to accomplish, and how much goes into it,” Holmgren said. “There is no guarantee. You can put in all the work and still come up short. At the end of the day, you have to be okay with putting in the work with no guaranteed outcome. We came up short this year. That doesn’t change the process.”
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