Episode 385: DIVING INTO THE DRAFT feat Stephen Gillaspie and Jam Hines of No Ceilings!
Trading Chet Holmgren for Giannis Antetokounmpo or Evan Mobley is not just a bad idea—it’s a strategic surrender that undermines the Oklahoma City Thunder’s entire rebuild. Despite a tough playoff exit to the Spurs, hosts Dylan Huntsinger, Stephen Gillaspie, and Jam Hines deliver a blistering critique of reactionary roster moves, emphasizing that Holmgren’s defensive versatility against Victor Wembanyama is irreplaceable and not replicable by any current NBA player. They argue the Thunder must resist the siren song of instant fixes and instead double down on long-term development, especially with Holmgren entering his first full offseason. The focus shifts to realistic, culture-fit draft targets: Cam Boozer as a potential trade-up prize, Caleb Wilson as the most attainable top-four fit thanks to elite IQ and defensive instincts, and Yax Lindenborg—a 24-year-old ready-to-play wing with elite skill and system alignment. Shock picks like Alan Graves and international stash prospects such as Luis Suigio are also championed for their high basketball IQ and long-term upside, reinforcing the theme that the Thunder should prioritize intelligence, spacing, and defensive versatility over flashy but unproven talent. The episode becomes a masterclass in draft skepticism, challenging conventional hype around high-upside players and warning that setting unrealistic expectations can derail development.
Do not trade Chet Holmgren for Giannis or Mobley—his defensive impact against Wembanyama is unique and not replicable by other players.
Chet Holmgren has his first full offseason to develop, and the Thunder should give him time to grow rather than react to one series.
Caleb Wilson is the most realistic top-four fit for the Thunder, offering elite IQ, defense, and cultural impact without needing to be a primary scorer.
Yax Lindenborg is a ready-to-play 24-year-old with elite skill set and fit for OKC’s system, making him a strong 12th pick candidate.
Alan Graves is a potential shock pick at 12 due to his high basketball IQ and statistical profile, despite physical limitations.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Opening the Draft Pod with Thunder Energy
The episode kicks off with a high-energy intro, welcoming listeners to the Thunder Chats podcast and setting the tone for an in-depth draft discussion. Host Dylan Huntsinger introduces the show's sponsor, FanDuel, and sets the stage for a deep dive into the Thunder's draft strategy.
Defending Chet Holmgren Against the Overreaction
“If Chet's afraid to shoot over Wimby and he's seven foot tall, SGA, who is as close to Cameron Boozer's height as Cameron Boozer is to Chet's height, the two-time MVP, let me repeat that. The two-time MVP is only able, who's a professional bucket getter, is only able to get up a handful of shots over Victor Wimbanyama.”
The Case for Caleb Wilson as a Realistic Top-Four Fit
“He was on the team when they went up against Kansas and when they went up against Duke. He got the better of Darren Peterson and Cam Boozer, had better games than both of those guys on the court, made better decisions than both of them on the court, and impacted the game across the box score better than either of those guys did.”
Yax Lindenborg: The 24-Year-Old Rookie Who Fits OKC Perfectly
“He's a 24-year-old rookie, and some people would look at that as like do not touch in the lottery. I think with where the Thunder are in terms of their life cycle and ready to be able to compete, and you're potentially moving off of a wing player or two, adding a guy like Yaxle who showed that he can play the 3, 4, and the 5 at the college level this past year at Michigan.”
Alan Graves: The Shock Pick at 12
“He's a three-point shooter, and he's a rebounder, and he's a playmaker. I could understand a team saying, hey, we missed out on Cam Boozer. Let's get the great value brand of Cam Boozer and see if he can work on our team as a floor spacing, rebounding, playmaking, defensive playmaker guy.”
“But he's just easy offense. He's a good defender too, like a complete player. That's why I'm going with him. And Shea just really needs to keep doing what he's been doing to maintain that spot.”
“He was on the team when they went up against Kansas and when they went up against Duke. He got the better of Darren Peterson and Cam Boozer, had better games than both of those guys on the court, made better decisions than both of them on the court, and impacted the game across the box score better than either of those guys did.”
“I think you're making them... I don't necessarily mistake. I think you aren't setting him up for success. You want to set him up for a situation like OKC where he doesn't have to do too much, can ease in and play that pass dribble shoot role and then kind of work into the rest of his upside.”
Hosts
Guests
stephen gillaspie
person
jam hines
person
cam boozer
person
chris holmgren
person
caleb wilson
person
No Ceilings
organization
dylan huntsinger
person
victor wimbanyama
person
yax lindenborg
person
darren peterson
person
The Most Important Utah Jazz Draft, Ever
1h 11m • 6/10/2026
Which players should the Memphis Grizzlies stay away from in the NBA draft?
30m • 6/8/2026
Best of the week on The Herd
53m • 5/30/2026
Colin Cowherd Podcast - Wemby Is The Best Player In The World, NBA Finals Predictions Preview & Predictions, Should OKC Trade For Giannis? Start Of Spurs Dynasty?
44m • 5/31/2026
Did new draft lottery system rules screw the Memphis Grizzlies?
33m • 6/1/2026
Episode 382: Thunder lose dramatic game 7 to Spurs, ending their season
48m • 5/31/2026
Episode 384: KICKING OFF NBA DRAFT COVERAGE WITH BRYCE SIMON
1h 8m • 6/5/2026
Episode 387: DIVING DEEP INTO NBA DRAFT WITH NATHAN GRUBEL
1h 0m • 6/10/2026
Episode 388: TOPIC: THUNDER COMPOSITE NBA DRAFT 2026 BIG BOARD
1h 35m • 6/13/2026
Episode 389: ONE WEEK UNTIL NBA DRAFT feat: Nick Agar-Johnson of No Ceilings!
1h 38m • 6/17/2026
Start discovering podcast insights today
Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.
No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime

