Denver Nuggets: The Wilson Chandler Trades Part II- The West
By Tim Hart
Golden State Warriors
ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine Results: Warriors +2 Wins, Nuggets -2 Wins
The Trade Machine shows this benefiting the Warriors. This is a necessary cost of trading for Klay Thompson.
Why the Warriors would do it:
They probably wouldn’t trade away Klay Thompson. Any proposition would have to increase their likeliness of winning the championship, which is unlikely. However, the Nuggets may be in a position to do so.
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Kevin Durant is likely in for the long haul. This makes Klay Thompson’s presence on the team slightly less essential than before. Denver’s mock-trade would benefit the Warriors mostly thanks to depth. Last year, switching out Klay Thompson for Gary Harris (at the starting SG spot) would have been ridiculous. But now, with Harris improved and Durant on the roster, it actually sounds like a good fit. With Harris’ game showing sturdy well-roundness, he could for a great SG for the Warriors to move forward with. He could fit Thompson’s void, diminished by Durant’s presence, at a fraction of the cost.
On top of that, they would have Kenneth Faried and Wislon Chandler both coming off the bench. They would be backing up Draymond Green and Kevin Durant, respectively. Does that not sound like a viscous rotation? Giving up Thompson would be a big risk. But doing so, to the Nuggets, could help bring another trophy to the bay.
Why the Nuggets would do it:
Not only would this be great for the Nuggets, but this would be great for Thompson. He would get the opportunity to breakout in huge ways, and could turn the team around in an instant. He is the sort of defensive floor-general that the Nuggets need, and also happens to be the reigning 3-point challenge champ. Igoudala would replace Chandler’s bench position.
Thompson would probably be heartbroken to leave Golden State. But still, the challenge of bringing a team in rebuild into a playoff position could be the push that sends his career over the edge.
He would have some work to do, which seems accounted for by the Trade Machine. But if he managed to rise to the challenge presented, Thompson could very well flourish in Denver. Last season, the Nuggets were actually very good at getting open catch-and-shoot opportunities, which they suffered greatly at cashing in on. Klay Thompson lives for catch-and-shoot opportunities. He could fit into Denver’s squad very well.
Next: Houston Rockets