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Denver Nuggets: Five players who could be traded

By James Siegle

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 9: Paul Millsap #4 and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets high five during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 9, 2017 at Pepsi 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 Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 9: Paul Millsap #4 and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets high five during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 9, 2017 at Pepsi 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 Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NBA trades can develop in the blink-of-an-eye. Which Denver Nuggets players will experience this close-up?

Denver’s stellar off season is coming to a close. The Nuggets locked up their franchise cornerstone Nikola Jokic. They also re-inked offensive talent Will Barton. These two will start and play a huge factor in Denver’s success.

The Nuggets stole Porter Jr…a draft gem some projected would go third or fourth (CBS). They also nabbed former MVP candidate Isaiah Thomas for pennies. Both will anchor a bench that transformed from boring-to-dazzling overnight.

The core will certainly stay in Denver. Jokic, Murray, and Harris aren’t going anywhere.  It’s hard to imagine Porter, Barton or IT leaving via trade either.

Denver does have a few viable candidates, however. Some are sitting on expiring contracts. Others are simply overpaid. Court time plays a factor too.

Check out five players Denver may trade this year:

Mason Plumlee:

Plumlee is outrageously overpaid. His three-year, $41 million dollar extension (bleacherreport) portrays a team unable to attract free agents.

Nonetheless, he is effective on the defensive end, and has his moments offensively around the basket.

A Plumlee trade would serve primarily to eradicate his contract. Trading Mason cuts costs. Although useful off the bench, he hardly justifies $15 million/year.

A salary dump looks appealing if Denver scores a serviceable asset in return.

Paul Millsap:

Here’s another jumbo contract. Meet Paul Millsap, maker of nearly $30 million per year.

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No, this is not a typo. Playing 38 games last year (ESPN), Paul earned nearly $800,000 per game. Factor the 14.6 points he averaged…Millsap reeled in almost $110K per bucket. Ha!

Dirt-poor sports writers are not amused.

Despite this, Millsap is a superb player. He anchors the defense and rebounds well. Paul is well-rounded offensively…a skilled shooter, slasher and cutter.  His veteran presence is much-needed on this young Nuggets squad.

Paul’s contract immediately renders him trade-able. He’ll play the second year of this monstrous deal in 2018-19, with a team option for the third year (2019-20). But remember…free agency can be brutal in the Mile High. Losing Millsap would leave a hole on both sides of the court.

Then Denver is forced to pay another guy $30 mil to plug the leak…

Trey Lyles:

You heard it here first.

Lyles will someday average 18+ points as a quality NBA starter. He already hit double figures 38 times in 73 games, playing an at-times limited bench role (ESPN).

A smart general manager makes Denver an offer. Right now, he is worth more than Nuggets’ brass realizes.

In 2017-18,  Lyles averaged 12.4 points when he played 15+ minutes. When he played less? Trey averaged just 2.8 ppg (ESPN).

How about over 25 minutes? He tore it up with 17 points and 7.4 rebounds (NBA). It is ludicrous when Denver doesn’t play him over 15 minutes.

At some point, a wise GM may offer a package too high to refuse.

Malik Beasley:

A puzzling conundrum, Beasley dominates summer leagues and then does nothing past October.

However Malik is a workout-warrior who is athletically-gifted. He possesses solid two-way potential that could someday unleash.

At some point, Denver life either succeeds or fails for Beasley.

He won’t overtake Harris, Murray, or Isaiah in the rotation. Malik has a better shot at Craig, but Torrey has turned heads with his gritty defensive play.

If Beasley can’t outplay Craig for minutes, Denver should trade him at the first decent offer.

Juancho Hernangomez:

Juancho is a great shooter with strong footwork. However he took a step backwards in his sophomore campaign. Hernangomez averaged 4.9 points in 62 games his rookie season (2016-2017).

In 2018-19, he dropped to 3.3 points in 25 games (ESPN). Juancho accumulated a disturbing number of DNP-CD’s last season (did not play, coaches decision).

Hernangomez is young enough to capitalize on his potential. But he must show improvement from last season.

Junacho must find a way to increase his scoring and minutes.

dark. Next. Top 10 Denver Nuggets of all time

If he doesn’t quickly make waves, Denver has no use for him in a crowded front court.

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