NBA Draft: Grading every first-round pick after rookie year

2022 NBA Draft Class. Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images
2022 NBA Draft Class. Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images
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NBA Draft
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) and Chet Holmgren pose for photos after Holmgren was drafted with the 2nd overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

2. Oklahoma City Thunder – Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga

The Oklahoma City Thunder got their guy on draft night a year ago, taking Chet Holmgren second overall. The lanky big was a star at Gonzaga in his one year in college and looked to fit right in on a Thunder team that valued skill and positional size. At 7’1″ Holmgren fit like a glove.

Unfortunately, the Thunder never got to see their pick in action. Playing in a Pro-am game, Holmgren suffered a Lisfranc injury in his foot and was forced to have season-ending surgery well before the season ever began. 10 months out from the injury, Holmgren is close to 100 percent and is even expected to play in Summer League next month.

The play of Jalen Williams, his teammate on the Thunder, calls into question whether Holmgren would go second in a redraft, but that’s obviously an amazing problem for OKC to have. If Holmgren delivers on his potential they are going to have an absolutely nasty young core.

Grade: Incomplete