How can Thunder survive Chet Holmgren's absence? Rookie Aday Mara becomes vital as trade rumors swirl

As a third star will miss significant time due to injury, the Thunder face a challenging road ahead The Oklahoma City Thunder announced that Chet Holmgren underwent treatment on Friday to address a small patellar tendon tear in his right knee, an issue that will keep him out of the lineup for the next 8-10 weeks. With Jalen Williams out for the season following a gruesome leg injury and Cason Wallace set to miss most of the season after surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, the Thunder are now without three of their top six players on the roster less than a month into the season.

The Thunder are off to a 4-1 start so far, but a lopsided loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night with Holmgren out offered a glimpse into how challenging life will be with another star on the shelf. For a team that began the season as the co-favorites in the Western Conference alongside the San Antonio Spurs with a win total over 60, now they face a challenge maintaining a spot in the top four in the West after losing so much of their expected production two weeks into the season. Oklahoma City has been dominant in recent seasons largely due to its tremendous depth, but this summer saw