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The Denver Nuggets guide to the 2018 off season

By Grayson Moore

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 17: Mark Tatum, NBA's deputy commissioner, announces the Denver Nuggets as the #7 pick during the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 17: Mark Tatum, NBA's deputy commissioner, announces the Denver Nuggets as the #7 pick during the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /

  1. Trade the pick and a few assets to move up in the draft

This is an option that I haven’t really seen explored with the Nuggets, but it is an interesting proposition. While the Nuggets will soon be entering “win now” mode, if they could trade into the top 6 and get a future starter or possible star, they would be certain contenders. A player like Trae Young may be exactly what the Nuggets need.

He would give Jamal Murray the chance to shine at his favored position(shooting guard), and take some of the pressure off Nikola Jokic to run the offense. While he certainly wouldn’t help on defense, a full year of Paul Millsap may mean that won’t even matter.

The Magic are very deprived of point guards and may take a look at him with their 6th pick. That means the Nuggets would need to orchestrate a trade with the Mavericks, the team with the 5th selection. Kevin O’ Connor of The Ringer reported that the Mavericks are willing to trade down, and the Nuggets might be the perfect partner. Here’s one way a trade could go down:

The Mavericks would receive 2 more picks to add to their rebuilding war chest, as well as a young former first-round pick in Malik Beasley to develop.

This could not be enough, or another team may swoop in with a better offer, which could force the Nuggets into adding a Trey Lyles, Wilson Chandler, or Juan Hernangomez to the deal, but a trade with that core of picks and Beasley should probably do the trick.