Chet Holmgren breaks silence on losing 3 Thunder championship teammates to trade

The Oklahoma City Thunder have had an offseason defined more by their notable subtractions than additions, as Sam Presti has taken some drastic cost-cutting measures to keep the team under the second apron. Those moves included trading both Aaron Wiggins and Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks in separate deals, as well as sending Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons.

Recently, Thunder big man Chet Holmgren spoke about losing Joe, Wiggins, and Dort, with whom he won a championship in the 2025 season.

“That’s how the business of this game goes,” Holmgren said at a USA Basketball Foundation charity event in Southern California, per Ben Golliver of ESPN. “No team, all 17 guys, sticks together forever. But it doesn’t make it hurt less when you see guys go. At the same time, I’m excited for [Dort and Wiggins] and the opportunity they’re going to have in Atlanta. I’m happy for whatever major milestones they reach over there.”

Indeed, both Dort and Wiggins figure to play a big part in the Hawks’ wing rotation this year, while Joe will also likely see plenty of opportunities to stretch the floor around Cade Cunningham with the Pistons.

Meanwhile, the emergence of Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain last season helped make the Thunder parting ways with some of their own wing depth an easier pill to swallow, but clearly, it will still make an emotional impact on the teammates they left behind.

“I have complete trust in our team and the moves they make,” Holmgren added. “I trust what they’re doing is to get it right. It’s my job to be in the gym all summer to get my stuff right.”

The Thunder’s schedule is slated to be released later this month.

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