Denver Nuggets Trade Rumors: Who’s Next?
Denver Nuggets trade rumors are heating up following the deal that sent Timofey Mozgov to Cleveland. Which players might be the next to go?
This is shaping up to become one of the NBA’s most busy and entertaining trading span from here on to the trade deadline because a majority of teams are all in and are trying to gear up for the playoffs. This is the first year ever since the Pre-“Lebron In Miami Era” where each conference is completely wide open and most teams have some sort of a shot at the NBA Championship Title. Why wouldn’t a team be “all in” in a league where dynasties run rampant and title windows are very short due to the parody the league likes to endure on teams with salary cap?
After the Timofey Mozgov trade the Nuggets showed their hand to the NBA that they were sellers in a league which is suddenly a sellers market. They set the bar after receiving two First Round Picks from Cleveland for Timo. Although it may be much more exciting for fans to be rooting for a team which is buying, this is a great year for the Nuggets to become sellers because the Nuggets have a very deep roster full of talented players who could especially help a team increase their chances at contending which means more players to trade. Also if they trade a player they still can remain relevant because of the depth.
Now let’s get to the players and who can potentially be traded.
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The Untouchables:
Ty Lawson and most likely Kenneth Faried are untouchable because they resemble the face of the franchise and are the reason the people come to the games. Also they provide a jump start to a contending Nuggets team if/when the Nuggets decide to completely rebuild because of their youth and talent.
Jusuf Nurkic and Gary Harris are untouchable because of their potential. Every team that isn’t immediately contending should hang on to their rookies to see what exactly they turn out to become; and the way Jusuf Nurkic has been showing of his potential I don’t think any team would trade him period.
Javale McGee and Danilo Gallinari are completely untouchable. Between the hefty contracts and injury potential no team in their right mind would give up any sort of value for either player. Although each player is talented and still posses some form of potential it is still much too big of a gamble for a team to trade any type of assets for either.
Trade Candidates:
Darrell Arthur posses as a very interesting piece to be traded. Arthur would never be the main contingent of a trade, but he plays under a very cheap contract for his talent and has a game that is extremely versatile. Although Arthur has not been mentioned in any major trade rumor report it wouldn’t surprise me if he is included in a future deal the Nuggets make because other teams see him to be valuable.
Randy Foye and J.J. Hickson are a little more valuable for trades because they have two years left of their contract. As I do not see them being the center to a trade I do see them being packaged with either Afflalo or Wilson Chandler in the up coming month. They don’t really have any value to a team like the Nuggets who are trying to build for the future due to their contract and age. Look for Hickson to be dealt to a team who is struggling with size and could use an extra big man like Portland, Milwaukee, Pheonix or the LA Clippers. As for Randy Foye he would be very valuable to any team looking for offense like Memphis or Chicago. The Nuggets won’t get too much value back for either of these players, but should be nice bonus assets for a potential package deal.
Arron Afflalo is a huge trade candidate. He provides instant offense and serves no real use to this Nuggets team because he is only signed through the rest of the season for a Nuggets team which most likely won’t be going to the playoffs. He does have a player option, but odds are that he will opt out. These types of players are very intriguing for teams because they are off the books after the season and can become a spark plug for any contending team looking to make a run. Teams like the Clippers, Grizzlies, Suns and Heat have been reported to be interested in Afflalo. The Heat seem most interested because of Afflalo’s player option which he would most likely opt into with Miami because everyone likes to play there. The Heat don’t have a First Round Pick this year and most likely won’t give up a First Round Pick in the future for Afflalo, but they do have an interesting asset in Norris Cole and could potentially take on a contract that the Nuggets would want off the books like J.J. Hickson or Javale McGee.
Wilson Chandler! Wilson Chandler is the Nuggets most valuable trade asset. He can play both offense and defense and is the player contending teams want on their roster come playoff time. Many rumors have been stated that the Nuggets are holding out for at least a First Round Pick for Chandler because there is such high demand. Many teams have reportedly been interested in aquiring Chandler’s talents including Portland, Detroit, Oklahoma City, Miami, Charlotte, and the LA Clippers. With this many teams (and potentially more) reportedly interested in Chandler the Nuggets are sure to get a ton of value back for him due to his high demand. It does not seem as an “if” Chandler will be traded, but more of a “when.”