Josh Giddey and Chet Holmgren's Chemistry Crucial in Thunder's Plan For Success

Oklahoma City's two young prospects can build on their 2022 Summer League stint with a whole season of reps.

The last time Josh Giddey and Chet Holmgren shared the basketball court, the two’s chemistry was crystal clear. Both rising stars possess extremely high basketball I.Q. and each player benefits from the other in different ways. Holmgren was still a star during the Summer League session in 2023, but it was clear how much a player like Giddey raises his ceiling.

The Australian point guard took a big leap a season ago, upping his averages nearly across the board. He looked like a future star during the second half of the season, when Oklahoma City pushed for a postseason spot. Questions about Giddey’s scoring output and offensive skill set were quickly erased, and it’s easy to forget that he’s just 20 years old. His improvement to this point has been remarkable, and his potential is undeniable.

Over the last 41 games of the season, Giddey averaged 17.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. The sophomore shot 48.5% from the floor, 30.5% from 3-point range and 70.1% from the charity stripe. He averaged nearly seven assists per game operating the pick-and-roll without a true big man or any lob threat around the rim. It’s been said many times that a dynamic big man will unlock Giddey’s name and help him reach the next level — and that time is now.

Holmgren’s best game of the summer session came when the Thunder committed to running pick-and-rolls to free him up in the paint. The big man went off for 25 points, nine rebounds and five blocks, as Jared Butler and the rest of Oklahoma City’s guards found him again and again under the basket. Now, imagine what that will look like with one of the best young passers in the NBA on the distributing side night in and night out.

“Chetmate? Oh yeah,” Giddey said when asked about the duo’s nickname from a summer ago. “As soon as we’re back to playing regular season, we’re straight back to it.”

“It’s a deep team, we got a lot of guys we can look to. Obviously, some new draft picks this year, so we’re excited. Everyone’s healthy again so it’ll be good.”

“It’s a deep team. We got a lot of guys we can look to. I’m excited. Everyone's healthy and so it’ll be good.”

Josh Giddey is excited for this season with Chet Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the OKC Thunder 🔥

(via @TomerAzarly) pic.twitter.com/5JSi7LV6TV

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 31, 2023

Oklahoma City’s roster is certainly deep, with more options for playing time than ever before. But a key piece to future success will be how Giddey and Holmgren play off of each other. The Thunder’s transition offense will be in good shape, and the defense is clearly a point of strength. Outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s elite isolation play, Giddey and Holmgren’s connection could be the biggest point of emphasis in the half-court. Running a pick-and-roll machine like that opens up the floor so much more.

As for the team itself, everyone seems excited about the rejuvenated energy of the fan base. The Paycom Center was noticeably loud down the stretch, and Oklahomans evidently caught word the Thunder was back to trending in the right direction. After a postseason appearance, it’s a big year for the team, city and the Thunder fanbase.

“We love you (Thunder fans), we all do,” Giddey said. “We’ll see you guys at Paycom this year.”

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