Pippen Ain’t Easy’s 2022 NBA Mock Draft: Final two-round forecast

Oklahoma City’s Sam Presti is notorious for keeping his cards close to his chest, so it’s hard to know just how he feels about a prospect as polarizing as Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren. Fortunately, the consensus top three picks seem locked in and it’s now just a matter of discussing potential fit.

For the Thunder, Holmgren makes a lot of sense on paper for several reasons. With his ability to stretch the floor and play terrific defense, Chet fits the mold of currently highly-valued young NBA stars Jaren Jackson Jr. and Evan Mobley.

Presti has also gone on record expressing his desire to avoid acquiring a traditional starting center until this young Thunder team is ready to compete for a title. While he may log some minutes at the five in his early developmental years, the Thunder have a clear long-term plan to eventually have Chet play his natural position of power forward full-time.

What sets Holmgren apart from the other two players often discussed in the top three is his elite defensive potential. Chet’s high basketball IQ helps him stretch the floor and play elite help defense, traits that very likely will help him to be a winning NBA player.

Obviously, the main concern with Holmgren is his ability to contend with the size and strength of the NBA’s top centers. You have to assume filling out his slender frame through strength training and a diet plan will be one of the Thunder’s top priorities if they take Chet second overall.