Throughout the offseason, Chet Holmgren took every chance he had to play basketball and to work out.
Instead of taking the summer off, the seven-footer used it to knock off any rust he developed while recovering from his season-ending Lisfranc injury last year.
Whether it was practicing for the U.S. Select team or playing in summer league, Holmgren was busy throughout the offseason. His offseason also included working out with former Thunder Kevin Durant.
During media day, Holmgren was asked about working out with Durant. Both seven-footers have ties with the Thunder: Durant spent the first nine seasons of his career in OKC while Holmgren is beginning his there.
In response, Holmgren spoke with great admiration about Durant, referencing how both know several individuals within the Thunder organization.
“A lot of our talks had to do with the game itself of basketball and how do we do this, how do we do that,” Holmgren said. “A lot of questions (are) being asked from me about the game because he’s seen it all and done it all and knows what it takes.
“Just trying to learn the game from him, and I had some Thunder staff with me out there this summer and he knows a lot of people in the building. He’s great. He’s always spreading the love and it’s all love coming from him. Somebody might tell me to tell him what’s up whenever I see him, and he’ll say the same back. It’s all love. Kevin is a great dude, and it was great being able to work with him and get better.”
If Holmgren is to model his game after someone, Durant is a great choice. While the former doesn’t have the offensive talent of the latter, being able to pick his brain as a seven-foot ball-handler can only result in positives.
If Holmgren’s game starts to resemble Durant’s a bit, then that significantly changes the franchise’s trajectory in a positive way.
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