Chet Holmgren Reflects on Giddey, All-Star Weekend, and the Paths Not Taken
Chet Holmgren’s first NBA All-Star Weekend came with a curveball - and not the kind you want to catch off a cross-court pass from a social media comedian.
Paired with entertainer Druski in the Shooting Stars competition, Holmgren and Team All-Star were bounced in the opening round, and honestly, it wasn’t much of a surprise. The challenge? Trying to complete seven shots from various spots on the floor in 70 seconds - a task that becomes infinitely harder when your passes are coming in hot (or not-so-hot) from someone more used to viral skits than pick-and-rolls.
Druski brought the laughs, but not the lobs. And Holmgren, ever the competitor, looked like a guy who wouldn’t have minded a more familiar face out there - say, Josh Giddey.
Holmgren and Giddey shared two seasons together in Oklahoma City, building chemistry on a young Thunder squad that was just starting to find its identity. But in the summer of 2024, the Thunder made a bold move, sending Giddey to the Chicago Bulls in a rare one-for-one deal for defensive ace Alex Caruso.
Now, two years later, it’s clear: both teams got what they needed.
Caruso became a key piece in OKC’s 2025 championship run, bringing grit, defense, and veteran poise to a team bursting with young talent. Meanwhile, Giddey’s game has flourished in Chicago. With the ball in his hands and the offense running through him, he’s put up big numbers - 18.6 points, 8.8 assists, and 8.6 rebounds per game on 46.2% shooting - and was making a strong case for his first All-Star nod before a hamstring strain derailed his momentum.
Holmgren hasn’t forgotten what Giddey brought to the table.
“He was a stupid little hamstring injury away from having a really good shot at getting in,” Holmgren said after Saturday’s All-Star events. “I’m not surprised at all by what he’s doing up there.
He’s an amazing player. Very dynamic.
He has a lot of unique talents. A lot of size for that position.”
That size and versatility were on full display during their time together in OKC, and Holmgren saw it up close every day.
“My first couple of years here playing with him, I saw that talent every day,” he continued. “I’m happy he’s in Chicago getting to show his full repertoire of being able to do what he can do.”
The Thunder’s evolution meant tough choices. As Holmgren and Jalen Williams blossomed into All-Star-caliber players, and with reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander commanding the offense, Giddey’s role became harder to define. Not because he lacked talent - far from it - but because the ball can only be in so many places at once.
In Chicago, Giddey’s found that space. He’s become the engine of a Bulls team that’s let him spread his wings, and his stat lines reflect that freedom. The hamstring injury was a setback, sure, but the trajectory is still sky-high.
As for Holmgren, his All-Star debut may not have gone as scripted - thanks in part to Druski’s comedic chaos - but it’s clear he’s soaking in the moment, appreciating the journey, and keeping tabs on the teammates who helped him get here.
Because in the NBA, success isn’t always about where you start - it’s about finding the right fit. And for both Holmgren and Giddey, it looks like they’ve each found theirs.