Draymond Green speaks on Chet Holmgren trade rumors.
Ever since the Oklahoma City Thunder were eliminated in seven games against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, rumors of the Thunder making a big change in trading Chet Holmgren have popped up.
The idea was floated even before the series was over, once the Spurs won game one, and was only amplified by Chet's game seven performance, where he had four points and four rebounds, and Victor Wembanyama, who dominated the series for large stretches.
Holmgren made his first All-Star team and was a third-team All-NBA player this past season. He was also second in Defensive Player of the Year voting and is just 24 years old.
Draymond Green Shoots Down The Rumors
While many media personalities and fans are talking about the possibility of Chet being traded as the Thunder look to make a change, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has other ideas.
"How about this guy need to go back and get in the lab and get better and go work on his game because this guy just exposed all your weaknesses and showed everything that you need to get better at. What about the criticism of he need to get back in the lab this summer and be motivated and get better? Why is it we need to trade him? Like these takes they they just seem to get a little lazy at times to me, like trade him, why is all of a sudden everything always about the trade? Up, trade this guy, trade that guy, trade like, what? I just don't understand it. So, no, I don't expect Chet Holmgren to be traded," he said on his podcast.
Thunder general manager Sam Presti has been one of the most pragmatic and patient GMs in the league, and is unlikely to make a decision based off one game or one series.
The Thunder were without Jalen Williams, their second-best player, and Ajay Mitchell, their third-best offensive player, for the majority of the series, which Presti will likely take into account as well.
Draymond Dives Deeper
In looking at the Thunder roster, Draymond noted that the team will likely make other moves as the extensions for Chet and Williams kick in, pointing at Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins as potential trade candidates to help save money and free up space for potential incoming draft picks.
Those moves might be necessary given the roster and cap crunch the Thunder face, but they won't dramatically change the team like a Chet trade would.
In the end, Draymond is right. Sometimes the best path forward is not to make a big change. It's to hope that young players learn and get better.
