Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Oklahoma City Thunder star center Chet Holmgren has agreed to a five-year maximum rookie contract extension with the NBA champion franchise worth up to $250 million, US media reported Wednesday. ESPN, citing Holmgren’s agent Billy Duffy, first reported the deal, which will keep the 23-year-old big man in Oklahoma City through the 2030-31 season.
It’s the second major extension the Thunder have agreed since capturing the NBA title last month with a seven-game victory over the Indiana Pacers in the Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the regular-season and NBA Finals most valuable player, has agreed a four-year extension worth a reported $285 million — the richest per-year contract in NBA history.
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Holmgren averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, and 2.2 blocked shots in 32 games last season. He missed three months with a broken pelvis, the second major injury of his career after a foot injury sidelined him for all of what would have been his rookie season in 2022-23. After helping the Thunder power into the playoffs with a league-best 68 regular-season wins, the 7-foot, 1-inch (2.1m) defensive standout averaged 15.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in the post-season. He blocked 11 shots in the NBA Finals, including five in game seven.
Holmgren will make $13.7 million in the upcoming season, the final year of his $45 million rookie deal. Having locked up his long-term services, the Thunder are expected to turn their attention to working out an extension with Jalen Williams, who is scheduled to become a restricted free agent in 2026.
© 2024 AFP
