If you look at each team’s situation, this works out well across the board, but a deal like this would never happen… unless it did.

Start with the OKC Thunder. They are not likely going to be trading Chet Holmgren any time soon, nor Cason Wallace as he’s set to take up Lu Dort’s role. However, with SGA’s extension kicking in next year, this team has to shed some salary. With how Chet performed in the playoffs, why not look for a quick change? They could move Chet for a similar caliber of player in Trey Murphy, who also solves some of their positional woes. Losing Chet is fine as OKC has IHart, Mara, and JWill to eat up the Center minutes. Murphy and Herbert Jones slide into the PF role while KWill and JWill provide the extra depth. Losing Wallace hurts, but he’s going to leave next offseason anyways as he hits FA and OKc doesn’t have the cap to pay him. Why not let the chemistry build with Mitchell or Caruso in the starting lineup while giving more PT to Topic or Stirtz as the backup PG, and McCain at the 2? ALSO, OKC adds two additional future 1sts and two 2nds in this deal. They get cheaper and add more assets while still being at the top of the conference.

Now, let’s look at Detroit. They need to trade Duren. Ideally they get a stretch big who can defend (most likely Myles Turner), but they swing even bigger here and try to form the best defense in NBA history. They have the cap space to extend Cason Wallace and could still make moves around the edges (i.e. adding AJ Green via the $15M TPE). A defensive lineup of Ausar and Cason locking down the perimeter while Chet holds the post is SCARY! Detroit loses a lot of their draft capital but they would have one of the best young cores for the next 5 years and two great shooters (Green and Isaiah Joe) coming off the bench for an added punch. Throw in B-Ball Paul and Okorie developing and this team opens their title window for years to come.

The Pelicans do this because they are able to add a solid young prospect in Ron Holland, they finally land a stretch big for Zion and Queen with Myles Turner, AND they still pick up two 1sts and two 2nds… it’s a no brainer for Nola.

Milwaukee is looking to make a deal for Duren. Here, all the lose is Myles Turner and AJ Green along with a 1st and 2nd. That sounds like a better deal than just getting Duren straight up. They also land Duncan Robinson to replace Green’s shooting while landing Misi as the backup center, moving Kel’el Ware to PF full time. A front court of Jaquez, Ware, Duren, Ament, Dieng, and Misi will be FEARED in 2-3 years, if not right now. Throw in Rollins, Herro, Burries, KPJ, and Robinson… it’s a no brainer for Milwaukee.