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Chet Holmgren reportedly left early on final day of predraft visit with Magic
Jun 25, 2022; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at Clara Luper Center. Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Chet Holmgren is officially a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and he may have gone some great lengths to steer his way there.

Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated said in a recent report that the ex-Gonzaga big man Holmgren bailed early on the final day of his predraft visit with the Orlando Magic. Woo adds that Holmgren conducted only a brief on-court shooting workout with the Magic that he ended up cutting short.

Orlando had the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 draft and were rumored to be considering Holmgren, Jabari Smith, and Paolo Banchero. They ultimately went with Banchero (perhaps the least likely of the three), and Holmgren went to the Thunder with the next pick at No. 2.

There had indeed been earlier rumors that the seven-footer Holmgren was hoping to avoid the Magic (supposedly for some interesting reasons).

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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