Denver Nuggets 5-on-5 Roundtable

Denver was linked to Blake Griffin in multiple trade rumors this trade deadline. Do you think the Nuggets still try to go after Griffin this summer and do they get a deal done for the Clippers star?

TD: I seriously hope not. I’m a big Kenneth Faried fan, I might be a dying breed but I just love the effort he brings. He had a recent stretch from February 24th to March 8th, where he had six double-doubles in seven games and he either got us close to a win, or he won the game for us. We can’t let someone like that go for Griffin who’ll probably end up leaving in free agency. If it means Faried has to leave it’s a big no from me, for what the rumours said their asking price was, it would be crazy to make that trade.

EW: I truly don’t believe the Clippers were ever seriously trying to trade Blake Griffin at the deadline, regardless of what any NBA insider says. I believe Doc Rivers was just gauging the market for his superstar, to get an idea of who’d want Griffin come the summer time. I give the Nuggets a lot of respect for even trying to go after a player of Griffin’s caliber and I’m sure their interest level in him remains high. I’d put it at a 50/50(I know super vauge) chance that the Nuggets acquire Griffin over the summer. Denver still has a ton of pieces to offer the Clippers, not to mention what looks to be like three first round picks this year. The Nuggets have all the assets to make a move for the Clippers franchise player, it’s just a matter of how much they are willing to give up.

AU: I sure hope not. Blake Griffin is a star and could really be the dominant power forward a team needs to take the next step. However, I don’t see the Clips getting fleeced in the deal and it would take several pieces for the Nuggets to find a way to get him in a powder blue uniform. If those pieces are someone like Kenneth Faried, Wilson Chandler and some picks, let’s make the deal tomorrow. But all signs point to having to send way more compensation and I just don’t feel the risk is worth the reward for a player that, while talented, doesn’t seem to be a great fit here. System wise or personality wise.

AN: No. No chance he wants to be here long-term. Sorry but we’re going to have to home grow our own talent until our franchise looks a little more attractive to the stars. Luckily that may be not too far off in the future.

JD: Unless the Clippers significantly lower their asking price it would be compromising the future of this team to go through with this trade. Gallinari is a leader for this team and is too valuable to the Nuggets to give up with so many other assets for only one player in return. If they could negotiate a deal for maybe Gallinari and someone else to make the salaries match, I would consider it if I was the Nuggets but I would expect picks in return. I would say it’s very unlikely this deal gets done however.

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