Blake Griffin: A Historic 4-Team Mega Deal
By Wardell
How this helps the Nuggets
What they get: Blake Griffin, DeMarcus Cousins and Ricky Rubio
What they lose: Kenneth Faried, Wilson Chandler, Will Barton, Emmanuel Mudiay, Nikola Jokic, Jusuf Nurkic, ’17 Den. first rounder, ’17 Mem. first rounder and ’18 Den. first rounder
Before you criticize, ask yourself this: is there any other team that could lose this much but still manage to contend in the Western Conference playoffs? Short answer, only one; the Minnesota Timberwolves, who appear intent on a rebuild instead of cashing out.
The Nuggets have the assets to cash out, and should if it means acquiring Blake Griffin and DeMarcus Cousins. Both are incredible big men who are only just about to enter their athletic primes and whose skill set is far beyond their ages would suggest.
They both offer a dominant low post presence while also giving their teams adequate floor spacing. Pairing these two together would be a match made in heaven.
The only gray mark would be Cousins’ attitude, but remember, Mike Malone seems to be the only coach who could manage Cousins by earning his respect.
There’s also what they have to give up, which I know is a lot. But Denver would still have enough to make a great team.
They’d lose their starting point guard in exchange for Cousins, which is why they also trade for Ricky Rubio.
With Cousins, Griffin, Danilo Gallinari, Gary Harris and Jamal Murray all possessing the ability to spread the floor, the Nuggets could afford to acquire a non-shooting point guard. In fact, they’d only need a guard who could hold his own on the defensive end and facilitate the offense. So Rubio is perfect for this team.
must read: Kenneth Faried: Could This Trade Send Him To NO
Unfortunately, the Nuggets wouldn’t have enough to win an NBA title right away but they wouldn’t have to. They’d have enough to convince Griffin to resign, and more than enough to convince a “big-name” free agent to sign with the team in next year’s loaded free agency class.