Nov 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) and Denver Nuggets guard Arron Afflalo (10) celebrate during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Another day, another set of Denver Nuggets trade rumors!
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Nuggets fans knew speculation would be swirling around the team ahead of the February 19 trade deadline, and as that date draws closer, the names of several Nuggets players are popping up in trade rumors more and more frequently. The latest reports from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Marc Stein indicate several Nuggets are in the mix for teams looking to wheel and deal. First, here are Shelburne’s Tweets regarding the team from late last night:
Denver remains one of the most intriguing teams to watch as we approach the trade deadline. Afflalo, Chandler could help a contender
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 11, 2015
Word is Denver's asking price on Arron Afflalo has been high so far. They got a lot for Mozgov, so why not?
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 11, 2015
Among teams Nuggs have discussed Afflalo w/ -- Portland, Chi, Clips, Mia, Sac. He's got a player option next year, so FRP is a lot to ask
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 11, 2015
Interesting to discover that Chicago and Sacramento have apparently shown interest in Afflalo, as those are teams that haven’t been mentioned much in previous reports.
On the heels of Shelburne’s reporting, Stein chimed in with some additional details:
As @ramonashelburne also notes, Denver wants no less than a first-round pick for Afflalo when he possesses player option for next season
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 11, 2015
Denver's demands have been high ever since getting two firsts for Mozgov, but Afflalo, Foye and Jameer Nelson could all move before deadline
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 11, 2015
Latest word in circulation suggests Arron Afflalo more likely to move before Feb. 19 trade deadline than Wilson Chandler given DEN demands
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 11, 2015
That last Tweet is perhaps the most interesting. Randy Foye and Jameer Nelson have both been mentioned in recent Denver Nuggets trade rumors, but Stein’s assertion that Arron Afflalo is more likely to be traded before the deadline than Wilson Chandler is a new development. A few weeks ago, Chandler appeared to be the player most coveted by teams still surging towards the playoffs, but it appears Afflalo is suddenly the hotter commodity.
If the Nuggets are dead-set on holding out for a first round pick in return for Afflalo, I wouldn’t be surprised if any move that sends him to another team comes just before the deadline. I imagine, as Stein hints at, that most teams will be hesitant to give up a valuable first round pick for a player who has a player option for next season, meaning he could choose to walk away and leave them empty-handed. But since the teams rumored to be interested in him are all in the hunt for the playoffs, a bidding war could erupt and ultimately net the Nuggets their asking price.
The deadline is just over a week away at this point, folks. So strap in and hang on tight!
Next: Are the Nuggets Willing to Trade Kenneth Faried to the Raptors?
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