Chet Holmgren is looking for a bounce-back: more physicality for the next step

Chet Holmgren has unfinished business from last season. The Oklahoma City Thunder big man wants to bounce back from the struggles he experienced in the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, a series in which Victor Wembanyama exposed one of the biggest weaknesses in his game: his ability to withstand the physical impact of more physically imposing opponents.

That appears to be exactly where Holmgren has started this offseason. The latest images posted on social media show a noticeably more built-up Chet, the result of extensive work in the gym with one clear goal: adding muscle ahead of training camp.

For Holmgren, this isn’t simply about putting on a few extra pounds. The goal is to better absorb contact, become more effective in the paint and, above all, struggle less against big men who can impose themselves with strength and physicality.

The first results of his summer work already appear to be visible. Holmgren recently took part in a pickup game alongside teammate Jared McCain and other prominent NBA names such as Michael Porter Jr., Trae Young and Jaren Jackson Jr., showing a physique that appeared more solid than it did last season.

And yet, despite the struggles against San Antonio, Chet’s latest season was far from negative. The Thunder big man averaged 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks, earning his first All-Star selection and a spot on the All-NBA Third Team. Those honors were accompanied by a second-place finish in the Defensive Player of the Year race, which was won by Wembanyama.

Those numbers and accolades tell the story of the growth of one of the NBA’s most intriguing young players, but they weren’t enough to erase what happened in the playoffs. The series against the Spurs clearly showed what the next step might need to be for Holmgren to take his game to another level.

Holmgren’s answer appears to have already arrived this summer: more muscle, greater physical presence and a desire to turn one of last season’s biggest weaknesses into a new strength.

For Chet, then, the next leap isn’t necessarily about points or statistics. It’s about becoming a player who is increasingly difficult to exploit, even when he is facing a phenomenon like Wembanyama. That is likely the path toward making the final transformation from All-Star into a true NBA superstar.