Oklahoma City Thunder rookie big man Chet Holmgren reportedly has an injured foot that could keep him sidelined during the upcoming season.
Holmgren, a 7-foot center from the Gonzaga Bulldogs who was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft after a very impressive freshman campaign, was otherwise expected to play a big role for the Thunder. He had several promising and encouraging flashes while on the court during NBA 2K23 Summer League in Las Vegas.
According to Shams Charania, however, the rookie big man has suffered “potential torn ligaments” in his foot (via The Athletic):
“Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has potential torn ligaments in his foot, league sources told The Athletic on Wednesday. A timetable is being determined based on further evaluations.
The former Gonzaga standout is believed to have suffered the injury at a Jamal Crawford CrawsOver Pro-Am game that had to be stopped due to unsafe court conditions. It was reported that the court was too slippery and players could not keep their grip due to condensation on the hardwood floors.”
If the Thunder do not have Holmgren on the floor, they suddenly look like the favorites to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. If that were to happen, one could likely expect them to select Victor Wembanyama.
Oklahoma City already has the toughest schedule for the upcoming season.
Wembanyama is arguably the most promising basketball prospect in the world. He faced off against Holmgren during the FIBA U19 World Cup in 2021. Holmgren led the U.S. to win a gold medal and Wembanyama’s France took home the silver.
Holmgren has a 7-foot-6 wingspan and Wembanyama has a 7-foot-9 wingspan. Both players are dominant rim protectors but also excellent sharpshooters for their position, too. If the Thunder lose a lot of games because Holmgren is out, but they are able to draft Wembanyama, fans of Oklahoma City may not be too upset.
If this happened, it would immediately become one of the most exciting frontcourt pairings in recent history.
Well that would be just terrible news for the Thunder. Chet Holmgren has really played well leading into his rookie year.
If he’s forced to miss a bunch of time though, OKC might have a leg up in the Victor Wembanyama chase. #Thunder https://t.co/bu8nckkyoZ
— TJ Eckert (@TJEckertKTUL) August 24, 2022
Sam Presti to Chet Holmgren after watching Wembanyama highlights. pic.twitter.com/wavqf9L2nZ
— Mark Strotman (@markstrot) August 24, 2022
Shut Chet down for season, trade SGA, give Giddey the keys to the offense, and hopefully get in the wembanyama sweepstakes
— gizmo🦁 (@Jays1of1) August 24, 2022
In all honestly Chet probably just has a mild sprain and this is all part of Presti’s plan to tank for Victor
— ℍ𝕦𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣☘️ (@HunterCeltics) August 24, 2022
chet and victor on the same team is gonna change the sport as we know it
— JB 🕸☘️ (@BoeyJechara) August 24, 2022
Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama is going to be one hell of a frontcourt for the Thunder in 2023
— Joe Metz (@JoeMetz34) August 24, 2022
Presti trying to solidify another year of Tanking to get that number one spot so we can Draft Wembanyama, I’m not mad at it 🤷🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/Z2U7yq8Uup
— Jeffrey Jordan (@jeffrey_louis0) August 24, 2022
Tired: Chet Holmgren injury.
Wired: Victor Wembanyama begins an epic OKC dynasty.
— Carson Cunningham (@Carson_OKC) August 24, 2022
Chet and Victor gonna be the greatest front court of all time
— Solo (START BEN SIMMONS AT CENTER) (@PapiSoloTweets) August 24, 2022
OKC think they slick lol. They reporting Chet injury as serious so it’s not obvious we’re tanking for Victor 😂
— Cromartie Jr. (@SpyroKush) August 24, 2022
