Chet Holmgren admitted that losing Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe was difficult but expressed complete trust in the Thunder’s front office and championship process.
Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Chet Holmgren admitted it was difficult to watch several important members of the team's championship-winning core leave this offseason.
The Thunder parted ways with Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe after all three players helped Oklahoma City win the 2025 NBA championship. Dort and Wiggins were traded to the Atlanta Hawks, while Joe was sent to the Detroit Pistons.
"That's how the business of this game goes," Holmgren said at a USA Basketball Foundation charity event in Southern California, via 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."
Thunder part ways with key contributors
Credit IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect - Scanpix
Wiggins was sent to Atlanta in exchange for two future second-round picks after averaging 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists during the 2025-26 season.
The 27-year-old spent the first five seasons of his NBA career with Oklahoma City and shot 38.0% from three-point range during that stretch.
Dort subsequently joined the Hawks through a three-team trade involving the Dallas Mavericks. Oklahoma City received three future second-round picks in the deal.
The defensive specialist registered 8.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season. He had spent his entire seven-year NBA career with the Thunder and played a key role in their 2025 title run.
Oklahoma City also traded sharpshooter Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons for two second-round picks. Joe averaged a career-high 11.1 points while making 42.3% of his three-pointers last season.
The moves helped the Thunder reduce their salary commitments while adding seven second-round picks during the offseason.
Holmgren trusts Thunder's decisions
Despite seeing several familiar faces leave, Holmgren expressed complete confidence in Oklahoma City's front office and its long-term approach.
"I have complete trust in our team and the moves they make," Holmgren said. "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."
Holmgren earned his first NBA All-Star selection last season after averaging 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks across 69 regular-season appearances.
Thunder reminded how difficult winning is
Oklahoma City entered the 2025-26 season as the defending NBA champion but fell one round short of returning to the Finals.
The Thunder were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in seven games during the Western Conference Finals, with their season ending in a 111-103 home defeat in Game 7.
Holmgren said the loss served as another reminder that hard work does not guarantee a championship.
"We learned the same lesson [in 2026] as the year that we won it: It was almost more of a reminder of just how hard it is to accomplish, and how much goes into it," Holmgren said.
"There is no guarantee. You can put in all the work and still come up short. At the end of the day, you have to be okay with putting in the work with no guaranteed outcome.
"We came up short this year. That doesn't change the process."
If you like our content, please click here and add us as your preferred source. It helps us a lot, and we are committed to delivering you the very latest basketball news.