JJ Redick names dark-horse contender for Rookie of the Year

While Victor Wembanyama is the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year, retired sharpshooter JJ Redick believes another versatile big man can take home the award under the right circumstances.

The current podcaster and ESPN analyst has high expectations for the up-and-coming Oklahoma City Thunder, who are coming off a 40-42 finish and play-in tournament appearance for the 2022-23 campaign. Therefore, if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company build on last season's success, Redick predicts the 7-foot-1 Chet Holmgren will "be in the thick of things" for Rookie of the Year honors.

“The Chet Holmgren thing is interesting because I think there's an expectation here that the Oklahoma City Thunder are at least in the play-in and probably have a winning record next season," Redick said on "The Old Man and the Three" podcast. 

Holmgren, the second overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, is considered a rookie this year after missing last season with a Lisfranc injury to his right foot. The former No. 1 high school recruit starred at Gonzaga in 2021-22, posting 14.1 points and 9.9 rebounds while showing flashes of running the floor like a guard. 

According to OddsChecker, Holmgren has the third-shortest odds to be named Rookie of the Year (+500), behind San Antonio's Wembanyama (-130) and Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (+400). With Oklahoma City expected to outperform San Antonio and Portland this season, though, Redick predicts that Holmgren has "a real opportunity" for the award unless Henderson or Wembanyama are exceptionally dominant.

"But if [Holmgren] checks out in some of these advanced analytics things and all of a sudden the Thunder are 46-36, he's gonna have a real opportunity barring just a 20, 10, and four from Wembanyama or an 18, nine and five from Scoot Henderson. He's gonna have an opportunity. He'll be in the thick of things, I think, for Rookie of the Year,” Redick continued. 

In four Summer League games played across Salt Lake City and Las Vegas this month, Holmgren averaged an encouraging 16.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.5 blocks. The Thunder will likely shut the 21-year-old down for the remainder of the Las Vegas exhibition games soon. He sat out Tuesday's 105-92 loss to the Houston Rockets, but was outstanding in Wednesday's 98-87 win over the Indiana Pacers.