2025 NBA champion Chet Holmgren has agreed to a fully guaranteed five-year maximum rookie contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder that could reach $250 million, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. That is now the highest-paid contract that a Gonzaga Bulldog alum in the NBA has ever received, previously held by Domantas Sabonis when he signed a four-year contract extension with the Sacramento Kings worth $217 million back in 2023. Holmgren’s salary in the first year of his new deal is 25 percent of the projected $165 million salary cap in 2026-27.
The lanky seven-footer was instrumental in the seven-game NBA Finals series victory over the Indiana Pacers. He averaged 12.3 points per game on a 39.5 field goal percentage to go along with 8.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. Holmgren struggled shooting from deep (15.8 three-point percentage), but made up for it with his ability to protect the rim and guard 1 through 5. In fact, he became the new owner of the NBA Finals record in a Game 7 for blocks with five. Holmgren finished with the second-most blocks at 43 during the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Along with Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just recently signed a four-year, $285 million supermax contract extension after working with Oklahoma City’s general manager, Sam Presti. Santa Clara Broncos’ alum Jalen Williams could be next to sign a massive rookie extension deal. With Holmgren just 23 years old, Williams at 24, and Gilgeous-Alexander being 26, the future of the franchise is in capable hands for the next few years.
Holmgren has yet to make his first NBA All-Star Game, but if he can stay healthy for a full season, the sky is the limit for his full potential as a star in the league.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho
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