NBA Notes: Thunder, Chet Holmgren, Sixers, LeBron James, Warriors

Thunder

The Thunder may have lost several key contributors this offseason, but All-Star big man Chet Holmgren said he understands that’s simply part of life in the NBA.

Speaking at a USA Basketball Foundation event, Holmgren admitted seeing Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe depart in separate trades was difficult.

“That’s how the business of this game goes,” Holmgren said, via ESPN. “No team, all 17 guys, sticks together forever. But it doesn’t make it hurt less when you see guys go.”

Despite the roster changes, Holmgren said he has complete faith in executive vice president Sam Presti and the organization’s direction after another deep playoff run.

76ers

LeBron James‘ greatest impact in Philadelphia may come as a playmaker as much as a scorer.

According to The Athletic’s Tony Jones, the Sixers already had plenty of offensive firepower after acquiring Jaylen Brown, but James gives them the elite facilitator they’ve been missing. Jones noted Philadelphia also expects James to exploit mismatches, an area that proved costly in last season’s playoff loss to the Knicks.

Meanwhile, The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote that Brown’s willingness to embrace more of a complementary role alongside James, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey could be one of the keys to a championship run.

Warriors

The Warriors have officially finalized De’Anthony Melton‘s new contract after agreeing to terms at the start of free agency.

Melton’s two-year, $11 million deal includes a player option for the second season and was completed using Golden State’s taxpayer mid-level exception, officially hard-capping the Warriors at the second tax apron.

The veteran guard averaged a career-high 12.3 points in 49 games last season after returning from ACL surgery and is expected to remain a key part of Golden State’s backcourt rotation.