Chet Holmgren's Ability to Play Off The Dribble Expands Thunder's Ceiling

The Oklahoma City Thunder is one of the most intriguing teams in the NBA. Last season, they made a statement. They played in a very unique style, getting an incredible amount of paint touches while playing small, fast lineups. With a set offensive identity, the immersion of Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace as rookies this season has been made easier.

What was unique about Holmgren as a draft prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft is that he's a "unicorn." He's a 7-footer with forward talents and elite rim protection and overall stout defense. 

Still, no one could have predicted how seamlessly Holmgren has fit into the Thunder's offense. While playing in his first Summer League, just before his injury that set him out for his first year, Holmgren showed his potential in stretching the floor and protecting the rim.

After missing out on his first season, Holmgren returned for this last Summer League. He showed more of a pump-fake and drive move that he didn't do as much previously. Conveniently, this is on par with how the entire Thunder offense operates. 

Holmgren is averaging 17.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 blocks per game in 19 games played so far this season. 

While the assists per game wouldn't exactly suggest so, Holmgren's ability to play make off the dribble helps the offense continue to flow, even when he doesn't have an angle to score. 

“Just making the right basketball play," Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said of Holmgren's playmaking. "A couple of times he hit a cutter. A couple times he hit a guy for three. A couple of times we missed and because of his rim pressure he was there for offensive rebound.”

Overall, Holmgren has an absurd talent for his frame combined with his ability to make the offense work as a point-of-attack player gives the Thunder yet another interesting wrinkle to their identity.