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Nuggets Trade Rumors: Portland Eyeing Chandler, Afflalo

By S.E. Shepherd

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Nov 9, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum (88) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

The latest Denver Nuggets trade rumors indicate Portland may have interest in both Wilson Chandler and Arron Afflalo.

The Portland Trailblazers are a team that has been mentioned before as a possible landing spot for two Nuggets who are reportedly available ahead of this year’s NBA trade deadline — Wilson Chandler and Arron Afflalo. But the latest reports indicate Portland may be more serious about acquiring one of the two players than previously thought.

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Jabari Young of Comcast Sportsnet NW is reporting that Portland’s first choice is Chandler, and they are willing to put together a nice package to try to bring him to the Pacific northwest. From Young’s piece on Portland’s interest:

"“Denver’s Wilson Chandler is on the radar, and the Blazers will not hesitate to send some combination of Thomas Robinson’s $3.6 million expiring deal with another player and a first round draft pick to the Nuggets for the Chandler. Denver could be seeking two first round picks, similar to what they received in the Timofey Mozgov to Cleveland deal, but that is a lot. If that asking price remains high, Portland may wave the white flag on pursing this deal.Chandler makes perfect sense for the Blazers this season, as he provides scoring off the bench, and serves as security should Matthews depart this offseason.”"

But Chandler isn’t the only Nugget the Blazers are looking at. The team also have reportedly shown interest in Afflalo as a sort of Plan B if the asking price for Chandler is too high. Again, from Young’s report:

"“The Blazers like Afflalo, but would prefer Chandler. Afflalo is known as a decent locker room guy, can knockdown an open shot, and he’s a veteran, which Terry Stotts likes. Should the Nuggets asking price seem fair, and Chandler is a no-go, it won’t be a surprise to see Afflalo in black and red.”"

Young notes that one of the concerns about acquiring Afflalo is the potential for his presence to limit the minutes of shooting guard C.J. McCollum, the tenth pick in the 2013 draft who the Blazers hope will be a key part of their future.

Portland appears to be a willing trade partner for the Nuggets, and the fact that they may have interest in both Chandler and Afflalo may give Denver some leverage in terms of negotiating a deal for either player. If Portland is willing to give up a first round pick, Robinson’s expiring contract and another player (although there aren’t a lot of guys on their roster outside of their stars that get me very excited) for Chandler, that would seem like a decent deal unless Denver is dead-set on trying to get two first-round picks in return. That asking price might be a bit high, but as I’ve noted before, it’s not unreasonable to think a team with immediate championship aspirations might get desperate and offer up the two firsts in the whirlwind leading up to the deadline.

If these reports are accurate, Portland may be the most serious contender in the race to nab Chandler or Afflalo. We’ll know soon just how serious they are as the clock is ticking in advance of Thursday’s trade deadline.

Next: NBA Trade Deadline: Three Predictions for the Nuggets

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