The Oklahoma City Thunder are in a bit of a peculiar situation right now. Yes, their “tank” was successful and they landed themselves one of the top prized in the 2022 NBA Draft. However… instead of getting the first overall pick, they were handed the number TWO pick by the lottery gods.

Now, don't get me wrong: having a top-three pick in any NBA draft is an amazing opportunity. In fact, it's one of the best possible outcomes for any rebuilding team. However, being the second pick means that their selection hinges heavily on the first team's pick. If the Orlando Magic select whoever the Thunder are going for, well, tough luck.

Luckily for the Thunder, the top of the 2022 draft class is insanely loaded with talent. All projected top-three selections have a strong case of being the number one overall pick. If one of them falls to them at number two, then they'll be extremely happy with their selection.

Despite that, there's a certain lanky player that the Thunder need to go for if he's available: Chet Holmgren. The Gonzaga product is amongst the top-three players in the 2022 NBA draft. Here are the reasons why the Thunder should select Chet Holmgren if he's available with the second overall pick.

3 reasons Chet Holmgren would be perfect pick for Thunder at No. 2 in 2022 NBA Draft

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Limitless potential

Chet Holmgren is a one-of-a-kind talent in the basketball scene. Like Zion Williamson before him, Holmgren possesses a rare combination of physical attributes and skills in the modern NBA. Essentially, he's a souped-up version of Kristaps Porzingis: blending his long frame with speed and three-point shooting.

That alone should entice most teams into drafting him if he comes their way. We haven't seen anyone like Holmgren enter the NBA. If the Thunder draft him and maximize his full potential, they will find themselves as one of the rising stars in a competitive Western Conference.

Right players to surround him

A common problem for rookies entering in the NBA is that their teams fail to build properly around them. It's very rare for a rookie to be able to make a winning impact no matter who his supporting cast is. Too many rookies have failed to utilize their full potential because of their teams not knowing how to build around their star.

Holmgren could face the same problem if he doesn't end up in the right roster. His frail frame will make it harder for him to generate good looks in isolation against stronger opponents who can push him off of his preferred spots. Luckily, the Thunder have the exact pieces that can help Chet Holmgren develop into a star in the NBA.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander flew under the radar last season, but he's an excellent point guard that can help open up things for Holmgren in the paint. Josh Giddey and Aleksey Pokusevski are also great at finding the open man when needed. In addition, they have some intriguing pieces on defense (SGA, Giddey, and Luguentz Dort all range from average to great defenders), which should take the load off Holmgren as he learns the intricacies of rim protection in the NBA.

The perfect timeline

Chet Holmgren is going to be a bit of a project. Let's not beat around the bush: it will certainly take some time for him to adjust to the modern NBA. While his frame isn't as big of an issue as most people make it out to be, it's still going to be something he needs to work on in the future. He'll also need to learn how to defend the rim in the NBA, where offenses are much more dynamic than in the college level.

The Thunder are well-equipped to give Holmgren a chance to learn the ropes of the pro game, though. It's pretty much an open secret that OKC is in the beginning stages of a lengthy rebuild. Therefore, there's no pressure for Holmgren to carry his team to victory all the time. If he's drafted by the Thunder, he'll be able to focus more on working on his skills and becoming the best player he can be. It's an easy home run for a team that's looking for their next big star.