This NBA trade idea sends Chet Holmgren from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Memphis Grizzlies.
A blockbuster NBA trade idea sending Chet Holmgren from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Memphis Grizzlies has been created.
Fran Leiva of Fadeaway World proposed the following trade between the Grizzlies and Thunder:
Thunder Receive: No. 3 pick (used to select Cameron Boozer)
Grizzlies Receive: Chet Holmgren, No. 12 pick, No. 17 pick
Rumors are going around the NBA that the Thunder want to move up in the 2026 NBA Draft. OKC currently has the 12th pick.
This NBA trade idea has the Grizzlies trading the third overall pick to the Thunder for Holmgren, the 12th pick in this year's draft and the 17th pick. That's quite the haul for Memphis.
Yes, Holmgren did struggle in the Western Conference Finals against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, but the big man is still one of the top players in the league. He would be a great fit alongside GG Jackson, Zach Edey and Cedric Coward.
Plus, getting humbled by Wembanyama could motivate Holmgren to take his game to another level. The All-Star averaged 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game this season while shooting 55.7% from the field, 36.2% from 3 and 79.2% from the free-throw line. Production like that doesn't just grow on trees.
If the Thunder are open to trading Holmgren, the Grizzlies should pursue a trade for the 2025 NBA champion. It would be very difficult for teams to score on Memphis with Holmgren and Edey defending the rim.
Holmgren will make $41.3 million next season. The massive five-year, $290 million extension he signed with the Thunder in 2025 kicks in next season. While that is a lot of money for a guy who isn't viewed as a No. 1 option, what if Holmgren can be a No. 1 guy on a team that doesn't have one? Right now, he's behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams in OKC's pecking order.
In Memphis, Holmgren would be the unquestioned go-to guy. Hey, you never know? Maybe the Thunder trade Holmgren to the Grizzlies and Holmgren turns into a superstar. It's doubtful, but crazy things happen in the NBA all the time.
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