Chet’s return and ajay’s contract

It suddenly felt because Chet had beaten the (extended) window given by Thunder for his return. The right iliac wing fracture — the bisarre, one-on-one-stroke hip break forever etched in our linguistic after watching it on injuries for 39 game-related healing fast enough for Holmgren to beat 3-5 weeks of timeline last given by Oklahoma City (a targeting date was never sent by the team). Most of us assumed he would wait until after the All-Star break to play again, even if it is just like a caution.

We don’t know how much he wants to play. We don’t know how rusty he looks. I know I will win every time he jumps no matter how encouraged I am at the speed of his recovery. But my expert medicine analysis remains: If the fracture was really just the tip of his hip, caused by a freak drop, this should not be a red flag for Chet’s long-term durability.

Fred Katz (the athletic) looks at how Chet will affect the thunder on both sides of the ball.

He is one of the few centers that can block shots and shoot 3s well enough for defense to follow him beyond the arch. He can jump off these screens in a way that Hartenstein can’t. Last season average thunder on average an elite 1.18 points per Possession when he ran pick-and-rolls with Williams, according to other spectrum. This figure with Gilgeous-Alexander was a still elite of 1.13.

As I wrote yesterday, this trading deadline was a Bona Fide Superstar Bonanza, but the biggest addition to the title hopeful* in 2025 is Chet at Thunder.

Deadline trades

For a good league-wide trading deadline I recommend Hoopsrumors as usual. For those amazed over thunder/hornets pick -swap, Hoopsrumors also have a Useful collapse of the latest, second round string in OKC’s complicated web of future draft capital:

*I look forward to a rejuvenated lebron And a re -adapted Luka trying to prove me wrong this season.

Ajay’s day

Thunder waived Daniel Theis and signed Ajay Mitchell yesterday, Conversion of him from a two -way agreement to complete a default contract/guard space. Big Attaboy for second rounds. It was not Another long, team-friendly presti-special for the latest surplus prospect: Mitchell received a two-year agreement with guarantees on it so far not reported 2025-26 years.

Also: The fire Carlson jumped into Mitchell’s two-way castle. Congratulations to both unpublished rookies for earning their place at the NBA Court (and getting the bag).

Pregame Primer: Thunder vs. Raptors

Tip-off: 19:00 | Issue: Local/League -Pass

Read above for my notes on Chet Holmgren’s return to Toronto. The game looks like it could be an exhibition, otherwise.

Pod advance view

Non-cet injury clock