Chet Holmgren Boldly Claims San Antonio Spurs Regret Drafting Victor Wembanyama Over Him in Shocking Statement Shaking NBA Fans

In a stunning and controversial statement that has sent shockwaves through the NBA community, Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren has boldly declared that the San Antonio Spurs “regret” drafting Victor Wembanyama over him. The remark, made during an off-season interview with a popular basketball podcast, immediately lit up social media and sparked heated debates among fans, analysts, and even former players. The young center’s confidence is undeniable, but the comment has raised eyebrows not just for its bluntness but for what it might signal about Holmgren’s mindset heading into the 2025–2026 NBA season.

Holmgren, the second overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, missed what would have been his rookie season due to a foot injury. Meanwhile, Wembanyama entered the league a year later as the number one overall pick in 2023, hailed as a generational talent out of France. Both players share similar physical traits — towering height, remarkable wingspans, elite shot-blocking instincts — and have drawn comparisons to unicorns of past NBA eras, such as Kristaps Porziņģis and a young Kevin Garnett. But Holmgren’s latest comments make it clear: he believes the comparison is no longer even close.

“I know what I bring to the table. I see the noise, and I don’t care about it,” Holmgren said in the interview. “But let’s keep it real — the Spurs made a mistake. I can say it now. They know it too. They had the chance and passed. And they regret it. You can see it in how they play, how they talk, even how he [Wembanyama] carries himself now.”

Holmgren’s statement, unapologetically direct, appears to be rooted not just in his belief in his own skill set but in a growing sense that his on-court impact may be rivaling — or, in his view, surpassing — that of Wembanyama. Over the 2024–2025 NBA season, Holmgren played a full year for the Thunder, anchoring their defense and averaging 17.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game. He helped lead Oklahoma City to a surprising deep playoff run, where they reached the Western Conference Finals before falling in six games. Meanwhile, Wembanyama had a statistically impressive sophomore season with the Spurs, posting 21.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game, but his team struggled to crack 30 wins.

Statistically, both players have shown extraordinary promise. However, Holmgren’s performance on a winning team — in a more structured and competitive environment — has amplified his profile. With the Thunder’s young core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Josh Giddey all progressing rapidly, Holmgren has found himself part of a team that many view as a potential Western Conference dynasty in the making. His role as the defensive anchor and increasingly versatile offensive option has earned him recognition, including a near All-Star selection and a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team.

But it’s the tone of Holmgren’s remarks that has caught the NBA world by surprise. Trash talk is hardly new to the league, and confident proclamations have often been part of the psychological games players use to assert dominance. Still, Holmgren’s assertion that another franchise regrets its number one overall pick is unusually blunt and could potentially stoke animosity between two of the league’s most intriguing young big men. Several fans and analysts have already weighed in, with opinions sharply divided.

Former NBA champion and current TNT analyst Kevin Garnett was quick to respond. “I love the fire from Chet,” Garnett said during a segment on his podcast. “But you better back that up every night. You go at a guy like Wemby publicly? You’re putting a target on your own back. That’s not just competition now — that’s personal.”

Fans have also taken to social media in droves. Some praised Holmgren’s competitive spirit, seeing it as a sign of the edge that has driven him from a rail-thin prospect to one of the most effective two-way centers in the game. Others criticized the comment as premature and disrespectful, noting that Wembanyama, still just 21 years old, has only begun to scratch the surface of his potential.

“Chet’s great, don’t get me wrong,” tweeted one NBA fan. “But Wemby just had a historic season and he’s younger. Spurs aren’t regretting anything yet.”

Whether the Spurs themselves feel any “regret” is, of course, purely speculative. There’s been no public indication from San Antonio’s front office that they are anything but thrilled with Wembanyama’s development. Coach Gregg Popovich has repeatedly praised the young star for his humility, work ethic, and versatility, often referring to him as the “cornerstone of our next era.” Wembanyama, for his part, has remained relatively quiet, choosing to lead by example and focus on development amid the growing pressure and expectations that come with being a number one pick.

Still, Holmgren’s comment injects a new layer into what could become one of the defining rivalries of the next decade. The parallels between Holmgren and Wembanyama — both physically and professionally — make them natural foils. Both are elite defenders. Both possess the rare ability to hit threes, protect the rim, and switch defensively on guards. But their personalities diverge, and Holmgren’s recent statements make it clear he’s not interested in a quiet, deferential path.

“I’ve always been slept on,” Holmgren said later in the same interview. “People thought I’d get hurt, that I couldn’t bang down low, that I was too skinny, whatever. But I’ve proven it on the court. I’m a winner. I’m a leader. I’m not just out here for highlights — I’m out here to change the game and win rings.”

If this statement was meant to light a fire under Holmgren for the coming season, it may well succeed. But it also ensures that every matchup between the Thunder and the Spurs will be under a microscope — not just for the basketball on the court, but for the personal dynamic unfolding between the league’s two most promising big men. Already, the league has scheduled two Thunder-Spurs games for national television in the upcoming season, and it’s almost certain that Holmgren’s words will be replayed before every tip-off.

The rivalry, though still in its infancy, carries echoes of past great matchups — Shaq vs. Duncan, Garnett vs. Dirk, Embiid vs. Jokic. But it also reflects a new era of the NBA, one driven by social media presence, player empowerment, and the amplification of every word spoken into a microphone. Whether Holmgren’s confidence proves to be prescient or premature remains to be seen, but there is no denying that he has injected a jolt of intensity into the next chapter of Western Conference basketball.

As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on the Thunder and the Spurs. Oklahoma City is entering the season with legitimate championship aspirations, while San Antonio is still in the early stages of their rebuild around Wembanyama. If Holmgren is right — if his impact continues to outpace that of the French phenom — the statement could go down as prophetic. But if Wembanyama finds another gear, dominates the league, and leads the Spurs back to contention, Holmgren may have inadvertently given him all the motivation he needs to respond on the court.

For now, the statement stands. Bold, divisive, and dripping with confidence, Holmgren’s words have elevated an already fascinating NBA rivalry into must-watch territory. One thing is certain: the next time Holmgren and Wembanyama share the court, it won’t just be about basketball. It’ll be personal. And the whole world will be watching.