Chet Holmgren vs. Evan Mobley: A Tale of Two Young Bigs Heading in Opposite Directions
When the Cavaliers selected Evan Mobley with the third overall pick in 2021, the vision was clear: a modern big man who could anchor a defense like Kevin Garnett and stretch the floor on the other end. Fast-forward to 2026, and while Mobley has shown flashes of that potential, it’s another towering talent - Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren - who’s turning that vision into reality. And he's doing it in a way that’s hard for Cavs fans to ignore.
Cleveland’s recent 136-104 blowout loss to the Thunder wasn’t just a bad night at the office - it was a gut punch that highlighted a growing gap between two young bigs who were once seen as part of the same NBA evolution. Holmgren didn’t just outplay Mobley; he outshined him in every way that matters - skill, presence, and mentality.
Holmgren’s performance was a statement. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sidelined, the 23-year-old didn’t blink.
He took over, played with poise, and looked every bit the part of a future franchise cornerstone. That kind of assertiveness - stepping into the spotlight when the moment demands it - is exactly what Cleveland’s been waiting to see from Mobley.
But three seasons in, that moment still hasn’t arrived.
Podcast host Ethan Sands put it bluntly: “Shai goes out, Chet steps in and says, ‘It’s my show now.’” That’s not just confidence - that’s leadership.
That’s a player who understands the weight of the moment and wants it. And it’s the kind of mentality that’s been missing in Mobley’s game.
It’s not just about the numbers, though those tell a story too. Mobley’s three-point shooting, once a promising 37% last season, has dipped to just 31%.
That regression has real consequences for Cleveland’s offense. Without consistent spacing or shot creation from Mobley, the Cavs’ offensive flow suffers - especially when head coach Kenny Atkinson has to think twice about running lineups without both Mobley and Donovan Mitchell on the floor together.
That’s a problem. Mobley was supposed to be more than just a complementary piece. He was drafted to be a foundational one.
Meanwhile, Holmgren is already delivering on that kind of promise. He’s not just putting up numbers - he’s impacting winning.
He’s doing the little things that don’t show up in the box score: rotating with purpose, contesting shots without fouling, staying engaged on both ends. And when the Thunder need a spark, he’s not afraid to be the guy who lights the match.
That’s what makes the comparison sting for Cavs fans. It’s not just that Holmgren looks like the player Cleveland hoped Mobley would become - it’s that he’s doing it on a team with real championship aspirations.
He’s thriving under pressure. Mobley, on the other hand, still looks like he’s trying to find his place in the spotlight.
And that raises a bigger question: Is this just part of Mobley’s development curve, or was his ceiling misread from the start?
There’s no denying Mobley’s defensive instincts or his ability to switch and protect the rim. But at this stage, the offensive inconsistency and lack of assertiveness are hard to overlook.
He’s not taking over games, and he’s not forcing opponents to adjust their game plans around him. That’s the difference between being a good player and a great one.
Some of that comes down to mentality - that elusive “warrior” mindset that separates stars from role players. Holmgren seems to have it.
Mobley? Still searching.
There’s still time, of course. Mobley is just 24.
Development isn’t always linear, and plenty of bigs have taken a few years to fully come into their own. But the clock is ticking.
And when fans look across the court and see a player like Holmgren already making a championship-level impact, it’s fair to wonder if the Cavs’ timeline - and Mobley’s trajectory - are as aligned as they once hoped.
For Cleveland, the hope is that Mobley still has another gear. But if Holmgren is the blueprint, the Cavs are still waiting for their version to show up.