Thunder predicted to trade Chet Holmgren for $112M elite shooter in deal involving Jalen Duren originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Oklahoma City Thunder have some difficult decisions to make regarding the contracts on their roster. With the NBA's new CBA rules, it could become increasingly difficult for them to keep their young core together long term. Eventually, the Thunder may have to make a difficult choice and move on from one of their key players. Chet Holmgren has emerged as a potential candidate to be traded if Oklahoma City decides it needs to make a major financial move. “The second apron is rearing its ugly head with OKC in real time and will continue to do so as long as the Thunder keep that big three together. They might have to make a big-time decision soon. If Holmgren continues to struggle against Victor Wembanyama when it matters most, then maybe that decision becomes easier,” The Athletic’s Zach Harper wrote. Detroit Bad Boys’ Robbie Bettelon believes the Pistons could acquire Holmgren in a three-team trade that would send Jalen Duren to the New Orleans Pelicans. “DET gets: Chet Holmgren and Jordan Hawkins. NOP gets: Jalen Duren. OKC gets: Trey Murphy III and Duncan Robinson,” Bettelon wrote. This deal could work out in several ways for all three teams. For Oklahoma City, it would allow the Thunder to maintain the rest of their core while adding a talented young wing in Trey Murphy III. Detroit would move on from Duren, who could potentially be involved in a sign-and-trade because of his ongoing contract situation with the organization. Tracy McGrady has even warned Detroit against giving Duren a max contract. “You can't give him the super-max," said McGrady. "I think he needed another year on the level that he was trending before it was considered. He deserves to be paid. But that super max? Phenomenal regular season 19 and 10, but the drop-off to 10 and 8 in the playoffs…I get it, the regular season. But our eyes saw that this year in the playoffs. They see the same thing that we witnessed. And it's tough, man, because it was so bad and it just put him in a bad, bad situation." Holmgren's future in Oklahoma City could become uncertain if the Thunder decide they need to make a major financial move. Murphy, meanwhile, would fit well into the Thunder's system as a young, athletic wing who can provide shooting and scoring. Murphy is currently on a $112 million deal with the Pelicans. A blockbuster trade like this would give multiple players a fresh start. For Holmgren, it could be an ideal scenario if he were to be moved, going from one contender to another while joining a team that could give him a different opportunity. More NBA news:
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