3 trades the Thunder need to make for big man depth after Chet Holmgren injury

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been dealt a major blow with the news that Chet Holmgren will miss the entire 2023-24 season.

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Holmgren was expected to be a key piece in the Thunder's rebuild. However, he suffered a Lisfranc injury to his right foot during a pro-am game in Seattle on August 24. The injury will require surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process. Holmgren's injury leaves the Thunder with a major hole in their frontcourt. The team currently has just two true centers on the roster in Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Mike Muscala. Robinson-Earl is a promising young player, but he is still unproven at the NBA level. Muscala is a veteran who can provide some depth, but he is not a long-term solution. The Thunder need to make some trades to add some more size and depth to their frontcourt. Here are three potential trades that could make sense:

Trade No. 1: Thunder receive C Jakob Poeltl from the San Antonio Spurs for F Darius Bazley and a future first-round pick

Poeltl is a proven NBA center who would give the Thunder a much-needed rim protector. He is also a solid rebounder and passer. Bazley is a young player with potential, but he has not lived up to expectations in Oklahoma City. He would be a good change-of-scenery candidate for the Spurs.

Trade No. 2: Thunder receive C Myles Turner from the Indiana Pacers for G Josh Giddey and a future first-round pick

Turner is another proven NBA center who would be a good fit in Oklahoma City. He is a long and athletic shot-blocker who can also stretch the floor with his shooting. Giddey is a talented young guard, but he is not a good fit for the Thunder's timeline. He would be a good building block for the Pacers.

Trade No. 3: Thunder receive C Deandre Ayton from the Phoenix Suns for F Aleksej Pokusevski and a future first-round pick

Ayton is a young and talented center who would be a major upgrade for the Thunder. He is a good scorer, rebounder, and defender. Pokusevski is a young player with potential, but he is not ready to be a starting center in the NBA. He would be a good piece for the Suns to develop. These are just three potential trades that the Thunder could make to add some more size and depth to their frontcourt. The team has a lot of young talent, but they need to add some more experienced players to compete in the Western Conference.