NBA Trade Deadline 2015: 3 Predictions for the Nuggets

Feb 10, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets forward J.J. Hickson (7) grabs a rebound during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Also in the play are Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8), Los Angeles Lakers forward Carlos Boozer (5), Denver Nuggets guard Randy Foye (4), Los Angeles Lakers forward Ed Davis (21) and Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin (17). Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

With All-Star Weekend fading in the rearview mirror, the NBA Trade Deadline 2015 is the next big event in this year’s NBA season. Teams have until February 19 to complete trades, otherwise their next chance to swap players won’t come until after the season ends. The Denver Nuggets are one of the teams rumored to be considering multiple moves ahead of this year’s deadline, and that’s no surprise considering they are woefully underperforming and have several players with relatively inexpensive contracts that could help a team gunning for the playoffs improve their chances. No one knows for sure what the future will hold as the deadline approaches, but I’m here to give you three fearless predictions about what the Nuggets will do in the face of this year’s deadline.

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PREDICTION #1: The Nuggets will trade Arron Afflalo, but not Wilson Chandler.
A few weeks ago, it looked like Wilson Chandler was the player most likely to be moved at this year’s trade deadline. But in recent weeks, Arron Afflalo has emerged as the player about whom most teams are calling to inquire. Afflalo has played well for the Nuggets all year, and his ability to score in double figures night in and night out makes him a valuable commodity for teams still in the playoff hunt who are looking to add an immediate scoring pop or replace an injured contributor. Afflalo’s contract situation — he has a player option for next season — means the Nuggets are motivated to get a deal done, especially since it seems unlikely at this point that he would choose to return to the team next year since the franchise is probably going to be struggling for at least one or two more seasons. My guess is the Nuggets ultimately hold on to Chandler (and that’s a good thing; he’s not only a versatile scorer and above average defender, but by all accounts he is well-liked by his teammates and fans alike, and he hasn’t had any high-profile run-ins with head coach Brian Shaw), but find a team desperate to make a playoff run and overpay with a first-round pick for the chance to bring Afflalo to town.

PREDICTION #2: The Nuggets won’t trade Jameer Nelson.
When Jameer Nelson was acquired, it wasn’t clear if he was being brought to town for the short-term to be repackaged as part of a later trade, of if he actually fit into the team’s longer-term plans. After playing well for the team and providing solid leadership on the court, recent reports indicate General Manager Tim Connelly may be more inclined to keep Nelson around. He brings valuable veteran experience to a team that is in dire need of leadership. And if the Nuggets do embark on a rebuilding effort as many NBA experts are predicting, Nelson could serve as a strong mentor for the younger and more inexperienced players who are likely to be the bulk of the roster. It certainly wouldn’t be shocking if Nelson is part of a late-breaking deadline move, but at this point, I think it’s more likely he stays put.

PREDICTION #3: The Nuggets will land a player who will be on the roster when next season begins.
The conventional wisdom is that the Nuggets are likely most interested in acquiring draft picks to help them build for the future or players with inexpensive or expiring contracts that could be easily jettisoned to make room for future acquisitions. This strategy was evident when the team sent Timofey Mozgov to Cleveland earlier this season in exchange for two first-round draft picks. I think the Nuggets will look to acquire picks as part of any potential deal involving guys like Afflalo and Chandler, but something tells me Shaw and Connelly are both looking to add a player or two that they think could fit Shaw’s system and be part of the team’s rebuilding plans next season and beyond. Whether that’s a big man who can contribute offensively and help the team move towards the inside-outside game Shaw reportedly wants to play, or a shooting guard/small forward who can play solid perimeter defense is yet to be seen. But when the dust settles following the February 19 deadline, I think the odds of the Nuggets having acquired at least one player who will be on the roster come opening night of the 2015-16 season are pretty good.

What do you think, Nuggets fans? Do you think the Nuggets will be as active this week as most NBA writers and commentators seem to think they will? Or are they more likely to sit this dance out and wait to make moves closer to draft day? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.

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