3 Sleeper trade targets for the Denver Nuggets to pursue

The appetite for change in Denver is still a major storyline this offseason for the Nuggets. We know that coming into this season, the team planned to build a young bench through the draft in order to create long-term sustainability under the new salary cap, setting them up to potentially build a modern-day dynasty.

But the way this season ended, with an ugly loss at home in game 7 of the second round to the Wolves, then seeing the Wolves get pummeled in 5 games by the Mavericks, the Nuggets may be reconsidering their approach.

The team doesn’t have a ton of realistic options this offseason, but the emphasis will likely be on retaining Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and making moves on the margins to shore up the bench and improve depth. Sure, there is a chance they go big-game hunting or aim for some type of roster-balancing move by shipping out Michael Porter Jr. this summer, but that seems unlikely at the moment.

If the Nuggets do attempt to pull off a trade this summer, they may look to trade Zeke Nnaji and his $8.8 million salary plus some draft capital to bring back a reliable rotation player. Here’s a look at three players who aren’t generating a lot of trade buzz, but would be great sleeper targets for the Nuggets to pursue.

1.) Add a big young shooter in Corey Kispert

Kispert has been a solid NBA player but it’s hard to judge with what’s been going on in Washington. The Wizards have had almost zero consistency during Kispert’s tenure and seem like they are finally starting a true rebuild with a new front office, coaching staff, and #2 draft pick on the way.

The Wizards will certainly pick up Kispert’s team option, but he may not be a part of their long-term plans at this point. They may look to deal him as they build around even younger players. But for the Nuggets, Kispert would provide a perfect injection of youth at age 25. He’s a true sharpshooter and can play some defense on the wing. 

There’s a chance he could break out on a good team with elite offensive talent around him. That would be the case in Denver as he’d probably be able to focus on his best skills and would be fed open opportunities to knock down jumpers.

He could start or come off the bench, and could easily slide into the lineup to replace either KCP or MPJ if needed; making those players slightly more expendable if nothing else. The 6’7” 25-year-old coming off shooting over 38% from three on 6 attempts a game would be an excellent target for the Nuggets this offseason if the Wizards are selling.

2.) See if the other Martin brother can become a playoff hero

We all know about Caleb Martin and his playoff heroics for the Miami Heat a season ago. But what about his brother Cody? Cody has a similar skillset to that of Caleb but has found it hard to make an impact wallowing on teams like the Hornets.

But he was surprisingly efficient on a struggling Hornets team even while being overtasked with lead ballhandling duties for much of the season. He’s a role player who was thrust into a massive role but he still played well and showed his ability. There’s a real chance that, much like his brother, he would thrive as a true role player on a good team.

That would be the situation in Denver and there’s a chance the Hornets are willing to deal Martin as they are starting a fresh rebuild. The new ownership team in Charlotte has pretty much cleaned house and Martin is one of the few remaining veteran players. 

The Nuggets could likely pry him away for some draft capital and matching salary. Martin would immediately be a solid upgrade to the bench and can do a little bit of everything as a guard or wing with solid defensive skills. He’s someone the Nuggets should definitely look at and have a realistic path to acquiring.

3.) The Nuggets dream big and go for Alex Caruso

Caruso would be a little loftier of a target but he’s still making under $10 million and he’s entering the final year of his contract. He’s desired around the league but the Bulls may have squandered their best opportunity to truly cash in.

The Nuggets could put together an enticing deal, depending on what the Bulls would be looking for, and could offer Nnaji, another young player like Julian Strawther or Jalen Pickett, this year’s first-round pick, and perhaps some further draft capital. 

That may seem like a lot for the Nuggets to part with, but if Caruso is available, teams will be paying up to try and add him. He’d be worth the investment for any team aiming to win a title in the near future.

Caruso is one of the best defensive players in the entire NBA, especially at the guard position. He’d arguably be an upgrade over KCP and alongside him could help the Nuggets become an elite defensive team. He can do enough with and without the ball to be a passable offensive player, and if anything his teams have wished he would shoot more. He can hit open shots, but he would clearly rather be a connective player.

But adding a solid offensive player who can handle the ball and hit open shots while anchoring a defense on the perimeter would put the Nuggets team on another level. The Bulls have been stubborn and reluctant to part with players in the past, but if they are truly ready to rebuild, the Nuggets should submit their best offer.