The 2022-23 NBA season was supposed to highlight 3 of the best rookie prospects we have had in a long time with Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, and Jabari Smith Jr. However, Holmgren has been ruled out for the season after suffering a severe foot injury during the Crawsover Pro-Am game.
Holmgren’s skinny frame made people question whether he could handle contact from NBA players and be unaffected. It seems that isn’t the case as Holmgren hurt his play after defending a LeBron James drive on a slippery floor. Andre Iguodala believes this injury could be a blessing in disguise for Chet as he can spend this entire year on making sure his body is bigger for his return to court next season.
“I think it’s a big difference because he’s only 19 and like we said earlier, his body is still developing. Think about how much of an advantage is going to get like having NBA training, having, you know, NBA workouts, you know, getting his body back healthy and coming back hopefully next year maybe 20 or 25 pounds heavier and fully ready for the NBA.”
“The NBA game along with like a red shirt year I mean Blake Griffin did it… That’s what I’m saying and to go through a redshirt year in a league where you have no problem and you just keep working out and if they’re prepping for you. Man, he’s in a great situation because they’re building a future based on him.” (h/t Sportskeeda)
Should Chet Holmgren’s Durability Be A Concern For Oklahoma City?
The Oklahoma City Thunder should be concerned about Chet’s long-term viability in the league. We have seen generational prospects come and go because injury never lets them fulfill their potential. Chet is going to get a year of NBA trainers and access to equipment for his recovery. He needs to make the most of that and bulk up while he still has the chance.
His defensive prowess is incredible, but if he isn’t strong enough to guard driving players, he will never be able to show his full arsenal. This injury has proven to many that Holmgren does need to be built stronger to deal with minor injuries over the season, let alone something major like the foot injury that has him sidelined for the entirety of his rookie season.
Blake Griffin and Ben Simmons bounced back to win Rookie of the Year after their rookie injuries, so Holmgren could hope to do the same.
