Everything is starting to go right for the Oklahoma City Thunder. It began with their ace. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed a historic $385 million extension and was also unveiled as the cover athlete for NBA 2K26. Now, the breathtaking young core is beginning to reap the rewards of their incredible championship conquest, starting with Chet Holmgren.
The 7’1” big man was instrumental in the Thunder’s first championship. His five blocks in Game 7 of the Finals were the most by any player in history. Furthermore, his presence transformed OKC’s defense, which also reached unprecedented heights this season. So Sam Presti didn’t want to waste any time.
Sham Charania announced on X, “Oklahoma City Thunder star and NBA champion Chet Holmgren has agreed to a fully guaranteed five-year maximum rookie contract extension that could reach $250 million, agent Bill Duffy of WME Basketball told ESPN,”.
This deal keeps Holmgren locked in for the Thunder for the next six years. Despite suffering two major injuries in his young career, Chet Holmgren’s impact remains indisputable. He is the Thunder’s ultimate rim protector, averaging 2.2 blocks per game. Compiled with winning attributes and the ability to spread out the offense, he is an indispensable weapon. The lucrative extension validates the trust the Thunder’s front office has one the towering center.
Breaking: Oklahoma City Thunder star and NBA champion Chet Holmgren has agreed to a fully guaranteed five-year maximum rookie contract extension that could reach $250 million, agent Bill Duffy of WME Basketball told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/PsdxZq275C
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 9, 2025
Additionally, Jalen Williams is also slated to be next in line. “Oklahoma City officials will now move toward locking in All-NBA superstar Jalen Williams, who has momentum in his rookie extension talk,” Charania writes. Hence, it seems the young core is going nowhere.
However, NBA fans were still baffled by the max extension awarded to Chet Holmgren. And they have some strong opinions.
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