Chet Holmgren recently expressed his disappointment after learning that his former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate, Josh Giddey, had been traded to the Chicago Bulls.
The trade, which took place on June 21, 2024, saw Giddey move to the Bulls in exchange for guard Alex Caruso.
Holmgren admitted on “Podcast P with Paul George” that seeing Giddey leave the Thunder was difficult for him.
“Man I was f*cking hurt when I saw that Josh Giddey is not going to be on our team anymore,” Holmgren said.
He emphasized the bond that the Thunder players had developed with Giddey during his three seasons with the team.
Holmgren referred to Giddey as “our dog” and stated that the team still supports him, even though he is now with the Bulls.
Despite the emotional impact of losing Giddey, Holmgren acknowledged that the Thunder are looking forward to seeing what Giddey can achieve in Chicago.
“He’s going to go do great things in Chicago, so we’re excited for him,” Holmgren added.
At the same time, Holmgren expressed optimism about the addition of Alex Caruso to the Thunder roster.
He praised Caruso’s defensive abilities and his knack for making winning plays, qualities that Holmgren believes will benefit the Thunder.
“We’re also excited to have AC on our team now. He’s a great defender, he makes shots, he always makes winning plays, makes the right plays, that’s the type of dude you want to play with,” Holmgren stated.
Last season, Giddey averaged 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 25.1 minutes per game for the Thunder.
His versatility and playmaking skills made him a valuable asset to the team, which makes his departure even more significant for his former teammates.