Arron Afflalo is an important part of the Nuggets core.

Part 2 of 14

Very few players in the NBA improved as much as Arron Afflalo over the previous two seasons and mostly due to his superior work ethic.

Afflalo has proven that he is more than a gym rat and student of the game, very few players shoot as efficiently as the 26-year-old shooting guard. He received four votes for Most Improved Player (three second-place and one third) and was one of the few players in the NBA that shot close to 50 percent from the field (.498), 40 percent from behind the arc (.423) and 80 percent from the charity stripe (.847).

He also showed an ability to hit clutch shots, hitting a game-winner against the Dallas Mavericks towards the end of the Carmelo Anthony-era. Afflalo has always been known for his defense and he proved that by forcing his former college teammate Russell Westbrook into 15-of-45 shooting in the final two games of the playoff series.

At 25, Afflalo still has some growth and can be an integral part of the Nuggets core as he gets better. The Nuggets have the advantage of keeping him since he is a restricted free agent and they will probably match any offer for him, but in the slim chance they don’t there are a few options. But none that can match what Afflalo does:

• Caron Butler, Dallas (FA) is a more offensive and older version of Afflalo. He has a great midrange game and gambles more than Afflalo on defense, but is still solid. However, he also just turned 31 and suffered a season-ending knee injury.
• Courtney Lee, Houston (trade), Lee is the same age and players very similar to Afflalo. He is better offensively and not as good defensively. However, Lee has playoff experience and had the tough task of defending Kobe Bryant in the NBA Finals during his rookie year.
• Anthony Parker, Cleveland (FA), Parker is Afflalo but only 10 years older. At 35, Parker is too slow to defend most perimeter players and to drive to the basket. But Parker still can hit the 3-pointer consistently (.379).
• Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia (trade), Iggy is one of the top perimeter defenders in the NBA and also one of the most versatile player. He is a modern day Scottie Pippen, accept not as good of a shooter. He also has a very expensive salary ($36 million/3 years), but his heart and energy would fit in well with George Karl.

J.R. Smith

It’s hard to find a player in the NBA that is at J.R. Smith’s level at least talent-wise. Michael Jordan may not have ever been at J.R.’s talent level, but yet somehow the interest for Smith isn’t at the same standards as many fans have him on.

There are few 24-year-olds in the League that has a career average of 12.5 points and has averaged double-digits in points in five of the their first six seasons. Not to mention there aren’t many players Smith’s age that have played in 30 playoff games or have scored more than 40 points in a game not only once – but four times.

But for some strange reason teams aren’t blowing up the Denver Nuggets phones for their shooting guard’s services. Not even to gamble on Smith and the final year of his contract. But that doesn’t mean teams aren’t interested in Smith and don’t expect the Nuggets to get a player at Smith’s talent level in return.

One thing J.R. has going for him is the fans.

But that doesn’t mean that there are some interesting offers that may be coming the Nuggets way are:

CHARLOTTE: Nazr Mohammed for J.R. Smith
Not exactly what many J.R. fans may see as compensation for the bench spark, but Mohammed, who has happened to play for seven different teams,  is the exact opposite as Smith. He isn’t talented, but he is one of the more skilled big man in the NBA. He has great footwork, good rebounder and is very intelligent. He’d give the Nuggets another big man that they greatly need.

CLEVELAND: Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon for J.R. Smith
The Cavaliers were interested in Smith a few years ago and they’ve added former Nuggets assistant coach Jamahl Mosley and former Nuggets player Joey Graham. They also need Smith more than they need Parker and Moon. Parker, who just happens to be Candace Parker’s older brother and current Nuggets player Shelden Williams. Parker is like an older version of Arron Afflalo, he is a career .414 3-point shooter and is deadly from the corners. He also is a good defender, but unlike Afflalo he does a better job at defending bigger players than smaller ones. Probably the best thing Parker brings his is intelligence and experience. Both are second to none. Moon is a rare case, he is extremely athletic and is an excellent defender. He can play both forwards, but doesn’t have a lot of range. Both would be good role players for the Nuggets, especially with their attitudes.

GOLDEN STATE: J.R. Smith and Renaldo Balkman for Andris Biedrins
The Nuggets have been trying to snag Biedrins by dangling Kenyon Martin’s expiring contract, but the Warriors may be more interested in Smith. He’s a type of player that Don Nelson likes, he is like Stephen Jackson-lite or vice versa. It also helps that Smith has an expiring contract and Golden State can get out from under his contract. Biedrins is long and a good rebounder and he is young. In fact he is almost a year younger than Smith and he has had almost as successful career as Smith, on paper. Biedrins averaged a double-double in 2009 and could be the defensive intimidator on defense.

HOUSTON: J.R. Smith for Shane Battier
Maybe it is a continuing routine with these trade prospects, with less talented and more intelligent players. Battier is about as smart as they become, he is one of the best at taking charges and is a sweet shooters from the corner. He is a modern day Robert Horry and is definitely just what the Nuggets need.

INDIANA: J.R. Smith and Renaldo Balkman for Jeff Foster and Josh McRoberts
Another smart player that the Nuggets could get for J.R., Foster is also another player Denver has been trying to get for the previous few seasons. He does the dirty work, a great rebounder and good defender, but at 33 and injured Foster may be damaged goods. However, McRoberts hasn’t peaked yet and since he is only 23 he has a lot more upside. He already is athletic and has a skilled offensive game.

Darius Songaila could be the perfect big man to extend the defense.

NEW ORLEANS: J.R. Smith for Darius Songaila and Marcus Thornton
Thornton is the perfect replacement for Smith, he is just as dangerous offensively and is a lot smarter. He has a much more versatile game, and can score inside and out. Not to mention he is younger. Songaila is a smart big man, with a good offensive game who can hit outside jumpers and play good, but not great, defense.

Jason Smith could be returning home.

PHILADELPHIA: J.R. Smith and Renaldo Balkman for Jason Kapono and Jason Smith
As good as a shooter as Smith may be, Kapono is much more skilled. Kapono is J.J. Redick-lite and can hit treys with no regard. He probably has never dunked the ball before and doesn’t have the athletic ability that Smith has, however, if Smith settles for jumpers Kapono would be a better option. The guy has a career average of .44 from behind the arc. And Smith, who just happens to be a CSU grad, is a true 7-footer and has range on his jump shot.

Smith was second in three-point attempts, tied for ninth in three-points made and was 99th in percentage.