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Nuggets: Trades to help further push playoff contention

By Daniel Shelton

DENVER, CO - JULY 13: The Denver Nuggets Introduce Paul Millsap during a press conference on July 13, 2017 at the Montbello Recreation Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JULY 13: The Denver Nuggets Introduce Paul Millsap during a press conference on July 13, 2017 at the Montbello Recreation Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 25: James Ennis #8 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2017 at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 25: James Ennis #8 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2017 at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Shoring up the Depth on the Wing

Denver receives: James Ennis, Wade Baldwin IV

Memphis receives: Darrell Arthur, Monte Morris

In this trade the Nuggets get a quality wing player in James Ennis and an interesting project in Wade Baldwin IV. Ennis shoots close to 40% from deep and is a good defender on the wing. He would be an ideal back up for Wilson Chandler because they both bring a lot of the same attributes to the court.

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As for Baldwin IV, he was a very good player at Vanderbilt who needs a change of scenery. Mike Conley takes up almost all the time at point guard for the Grizzlies. Baldwin IV has a higher ceiling than Mudiay due to his length and play making ability. He could develop into a starting caliber point guard who hounds the offense with his length next to Gary Harris. He could also excel as a secondary facilitator next to Jokic.

These two trades could help bolster the Nuggets chances of being actual contenders in the West. We need a star caliber point guard and/or some more wing depth behind Wilson Chandler who can shoot from deep and play defense.

Next season the Nuggets should make the playoffs barring any injuries, but they don’t have enough defense to compete for a championship, despite what Darrell Arthur says, though I do admire the confidence in the team.

Who knows, maybe Jokic develops into a solid defender in the paint next to Millsap or Mudiay takes a really, I mean really, unexpected leap to a starting caliber point guard.

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