Chet Holmgrens Versatility: A Key to NBA Championship Contention in 2025

In the final four minutes of the first quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren showcased his versatility and impact on the game. Defensively, Holmgren shifted from the corner to block a slam dunk attempt by Obi Toppin and later switched onto T.J. McConnell, forcing a contested long 2-pointer. Offensively, he hit an in-rhythm 3-pointer from the left arc and later drew Myles Turner to the perimeter, where he finished a layup with his 7-foot-6 wingspan.

Holmgren's contributions to the Thunder go beyond his stat lines, as he finished the game with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block. In Game 3, he had 20 points and 10 rebounds. As a 3-and-D big, Holmgren unlocks various lineup combinations for his team. He can anchor smaller five-out units with shooters everywhere or help physically punish opponents in double-big combinations.

Head coach Mark Daigneault noted after Game 2 that when the Thunder plays small, they tend to be a little more turnover-prone, but when they play bigger, they have other strengths. Typically, teams must choose between sacrificing rim protection in small-ball lineups or versatility in double-big outfits, but with someone like Holmgren, that sacrifice is minimized or eliminated entirely.

The Thunder outscored opponents by roughly 15 points per 100 meaningful possessions regardless of whether Holmgren manned the 4 or 5 position during the regular season. That dominance was nearly halved whenever he was off the floor. The Pacers, who lost to the Thunder in Game 2, have Myles Turner, a center whose ability to space the floor and protect the rim has unlocked a sensational small-ball outfit. However, they lack a second big who can play alongside him, someone like Chet Holmgren.

The recent champions in the NBA all had someone who could flutter between the 4 and 5 positions and be effective at both. Aaron Gordon played alongside Nikola Jokić for the Denver Nuggets or spelled him at the 5. Draymond Green was the original "Every Team Needs A Version of This Guy" for the Golden State Warriors, playing with Kevon Looney or without him. Every good team has someone like Holmgren (i.e., Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers), while every bad team does not (like the Washington Wizards).

It is not a novel concept to consider that every team needs a Chet Holmgren or someone who can do a bit of everything in the frontcourt. But it may be a necessary one if you hope to win the championship. The Thunder's decision to give Isaiah Hartenstein a three-year, $87 million contract last summer is a testament to their belief in the importance of having a versatile big man like Holmgren on their roster.