Tag: Road Trippin’ Show

Chet Holmgren excited for additions of Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso

Chet Holmgren excited for additions of Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso.

The Oklahoma City Thunder had a successful offseason. With over $30 million to spend in cap space, the additions of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein shore up weaknesses from last season.

After receiving great reviews from pundits, Chet Holmgren stamped his approval on the Thunder’s offseason moves.

In a podcast appearance on “Road Trippin’,” Holmgren told former NBA players Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye why he thinks Hartenstein and Caruso are seamless fits.

“I’m extremely excited. Both very good players with great skill sets,” Holmgren said. “Both have skill sets that complement other skill sets that we have.”

Holmgren also believes both will benefit from their time on the Thunder. They are high-end role players who could see plenty of quality looks because of the gravity OKC’s trio draws.

“We have skill sets that complement what they do too. I think it’s great fits all around,” Holmgren said. “The addition to them opens up more to what we can do.

“Obviously, what we did last year works so I don’t expect us to try to rewrite the whole book this year. You’re always searching to push for your ceiling.”

Instead of sitting on their success from last season, the Thunder took a proactive approach this offseason to strengthen their roster. This has resulted in them being viewed as a title favorite for next season.

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Trey Murphy III would take Chet Holmgren over Victor Wembanyama

“Chet has a little bit of grit to him. You can tell he isn’t soft.”

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The 2023-24 rookie class is headlined by two seven-footers: Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren.

Wembanyama went No. 1 by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 NBA draft. Holmgren, who missed the 2022-23 season due to a foot injury, went No. 2 in the 2022 NBA draft.

Both seven-foot centers project to be elite defenders who can handle the ball and score like a guard. The Rookie of the Year race will likely be headlined by the two players.

The eerily similar builds of both players have led to conversations on which of the two is the better player. According to New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, he’d take Holmgren over Wembanyama.

During his appearance on the “Road Trippin’ Show” podcast, Murphy III told Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye and Allie Clifton that he’d take Holmgren over Wembanyama if he had to choose one for the next year.

“Chet has a little bit of grit to him. You can tell he isn’t soft, that’s the easiest way to say this,” Murphy III. “He plays with a sort of tenacity that bigs need. Also, he’s very skilled — he’s a little more polished than Victor is. I feel like he shoots the ball better.”

This is quite the compliment for Holmgren, given Murphy III will see plenty of both players for the foreseeable future. Despite not playing a game yet, Holmgren continues to get respect from his peers.

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