Thunder GM Sam Presti backs Chet Holmgren, talks offseason

Thunder general manager Sam Presti isn’t worried about Chet Holmgren.

Despite criticism directed at Holmgren following Oklahoma City’s loss to the Spurs in the Western Conference finals, Presti publicly backed the young big man during his end-of-season press conference.

“Chet’s one of our guys,” Presti said, via Justin Martinez of the Oklahoman. “He’s been so impactful. He drives winning on so many different levels for us.”

Holmgren struggled in the conference finals, including a disappointing Game 7 in which he finished with four points and four rebounds. But Presti pointed to the former No. 2 overall pick’s body of work and his role in helping the Thunder win a championship one year earlier.

“He didn’t have a great series in the last series,” Presti said. “I’m not really that concerned about him.”

Presti added that Holmgren’s self-motivation and competitive nature should help him bounce back.

The Thunder now head into an intriguing offseason.

Oklahoma City owns three picks in this month’s draft, including Nos. 12 and 17 in the first round. Presti said the organization will once again explore every option, including moving up, moving down or potentially trading out altogether.

“Everybody knows we try to move up every year,” he said.

Presti also indicated it’s possible the Thunder could exercise team options on key veterans Isaiah Hartenstein, Luguentz Dort and Kenrich Williams and largely bring back the same roster next season.

Finally, he also praised young players Thomas Sorber and Jared McCain, expressing optimism about both players’ futures within the organization.