OKC Thunder: Chet Holmgren Tabs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as Future MVP

The Oklahoma City Thunder Superstar, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is in line for an MVP-caliber season, sophomore center Chet Holmgren says he would bet on Gilgeous-Alexander winning an MVP award.

Apr 21, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts to forward Chet Holmgren (7) blocking a shot by a New Orleans Pelicans player during the second quarter of game one of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

A year ago, the Oklahoma City Thunder rattled off 57 wins led by superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who finished runner-up for the Most Valuable Player award - his second straight season with a top-five finish for the honor - Ultimately, he fell short to Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic.

However, many have crowned Gilgeous-Alexander as the rightful MVP from a year ago such as NBA legend Dwayne Wade, despite the lopsided vote for Jokic.

On Monday, Chet Holmgren dished on the OKC Thunder superstar and his MVP candidacy a year ago while making a figurative bet on the Thunder guard winning one in the future during an episode of Paul George's podcast.

"Way too humble, man. I feel like that is part of the aura...he is too cool to boost himself up," Holmgren explained "He was my choice [for MVP too] but at the same time, I am not going to try to say how he should've handled his MVP race but he was very deserving to win it. But, If I was a betting man, I would put money on him winning an MVP at some point."

Former OKC Thunder MVP candidate George agreed with Holmgren that Gilgeous-Alexander deserved MVP a year ago and will win the honor in the future.

Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will start their next journey on Oct. 24 against the Denver Nuggets on TNT - a massive platform to tip off an MVP campaign against last year's winner.

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