Nuggets potential trade target out 6-8 weeks

Depending on who you ask, the Nuggets are either a three-point specialist or a legitimate big man away from making a serious run come playoff time. While someone like J.J. Redick could help fill the void for the Nuggets, there is still time for Danilo Gallinari, Ty Lawson and Andre Iguodala to correct their struggles from behind the arc.

As for the big man, many names have been linked to the Nuggets if they were to make a move. Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge and Anderson Varejeo have all been mentioned as possibilities for the Nuggets to go after. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may be able to cross Varejeo off the list.

The Cleveland Cavaliers said in a press release today that Varejeo is undergoing surgery on his right knee and will be sidelined 6-8 weeks.

“An MRI revealed the contused area included a small longitudinal split in the vastus medialis. Despite continued, gradual recovery of the contusion, symptoms also continued in the specific area of the split. Another MRI revealed an increase in the split and symptoms persisted. Dynamic ultrasound imaging also revealed tissue from underneath the split was herniating and pinching with knee flexion.”

Exploring ESPN’s trade machine last night, I toyed with the idea of sending Varejeo and Luke Walton’s expiring deal to the Nuggets for Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Timofey Mozgov. While sending away the young and talented, though slightly inconsistent Gallinari is a risk, the presence that Varejeo and Kenneth Faried would provide inside would be tough to match up with for the opposition.

With the trade deadline coming exactly six weeks from tomorrow, it’s unlikely that Varejeo will be able to take the court and prove he’s healthy enough to attract interest from teams. The last thing you want your team to do is trade for a center with knee problems who can’t prove he’s healthy. Just ask the Philadelphia 76ers how that’s working out for them.