Should The Nuggets Trade Up In The Draft?

The Denver Nuggets have the 20th pick in the 2012 Draft, a draft that many foresee as the deepest in years. While a quality player may fall to the Nuggets the cream of the crop is definitely at the top.

Players like Anthony Davis, Bradley Beal, Thomas Robinson, Michael Kidd Gilchrist and Harrison Barnes are considered as the top five picks in the draft. Davis is the only one that is considered a franchise player, but the other four still have potential be special in the NBA. Even after the top five, players like Jared Sullinger, Dion Waiters and Jeremy Lamb could be stars at the next level.

The Nuggets have the assets to move up in the draft, with a horde of young and very talented group of players. But will it be more beneficial to trade up? And who do they trade to move up?

Some fans have hinted at trading Danilo Gallinari to acquire a higher pick, but Gallinari still has a lot of potential and is also a part of the Nuggets core. He did struggle in the playoffs, but many tend to forget that the 23-year-old sharpshooter played through injuries down the stretch. He has improved his all-around game, becoming a better defender, leader and scorer. And when he was healthy the Nuggets were at their best.

Wilson Chandler is another trade option and so is Timofey Mozgov. However, would the duo be enough to land a top-10 pick?

No doubt, Denver will need to use its depth to improve its roster, but in such a deep draft this may not be that time. The Nuggets are in a much better position than most teams in the NBA. They have financial flexibility and have a good, young squad. The time will come to make a move, but in this draft it might be better to stay put and see who falls. Last season, Denver snagged Kenneth Faried with the 22nd pick. Imagine what the Nuggets could get in a much deeper draft?