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Evaluating Bleacher Report’s recent Nuggets-based trade scenarios

By Quenton S. Albertie

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 03: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball against Monte Morris #11 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 03: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball against Monte Morris #11 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 25: Gregg Popvich head coach of the San Antonio Spurs consoles Derrick White #4 after a foul against the Denver Nuggets sduring Game Six of the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 25, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 25: Gregg Popvich head coach of the San Antonio Spurs consoles Derrick White #4 after a foul against the Denver Nuggets sduring Game Six of the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 25, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

Scenario 1: Nuggets get Derrick White

In the first trade scenario involving Denver, Swartz considers this to be a trade idea for the Nuggets’ organization, specifically. Citing the burden of backcourt scoring placed on Jamal Murray and ways to alleviate pressure, Swartz promotes San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White as a guy who can either play next to Murray in the starting lineup or become a sixth man.

Nuggets fans should be quite familiar with White, a Parker, CO native who played for the homestate University of Colorado Buffaloes in the 2016-17 season. After being named to the All-Pac-12 team and the Pac-12 All-Defensive team as well, White was selected with the 29th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Over the past two seasons, White has shown that he’s one of the better young guards in the game, averaging 10.6 points and 3.7 assists per game over the past two seasons, shooting 46.8% from the field and 35.5% from three. Of course, his defense has been noteworthy as well, and that’s probably the biggest reason that Denver should be interested in him.

Notably, White averaged 15.1 points per game in the 2019 NBA Playoffs and he’s become so well-respected that he played for Team USA in their pre-World Cup tour last summer.

Morris isn’t the defender that White is. In addition, for the most part, he’s seemed just as effective offensively. He’s averaged 9.7 points and 3.6 assists per game over the past two seasons while hooting 47.8% from the field and 39.8% from three.

However, the question isn’t if White is worth sacrificing Morris. He is.

It’s whether or not the Nuggets think they could get a prospect who may be just as good as White with their first-round pick and not have to give up Morris. Denver needs to address their wing depth in the offseason, not their depth at point guard. Their first-round pick this year could address that need.

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