Shaking up the Nuggets

After an incredibly slow start to the season for the Denver Nuggets (2-7), many thought that a roster shake-up was needed. However, the Nuggets then went on compile a 7-2 record in their next nine games to get back to .500 and contending for a playoff spot. Since then, they have gone 1-3 and doubts have once again clouded what at first seemed like a season in which the Nuggets would contend for a playoff spot after last year's injury-riddled season. In an ever-improving Western Conference, Denver's playoff hopes are now slim but they are too good of a team to be tanking, especially behind the stellar play of Ty Lawson (15.9 PPG and 10.3 APG on the season). So, I decided to create five trades that could give the Nuggets a better chance at winning games now and in the future.

THE ROOK COMES TO THE MILE HIGH CITY

 

Denver sends: Wilson Chandler and Jusuf Nurkic

Chicago sends: Nikola Mirotic, Mike Dunleavy Jr and Cleveland's 2015 first round pick

 

Why it works for Chicago - Chicago has asserted itself as one of the East's best this season so far, despite injuries to several key players, and they have their eyes set on lifting the Larry O'Brien trophy for the first time since the MJ era. However, one position is lacking and they're going to have to overpay a bit for it. The point guard and power forward positions are stacked and 2-time all-star Joakim Noah is manning the middle with shooting guard Jimmy Butler having an breakout year on the wings. The small forward position is where the problem is for the Bulls. Mike Dunleavy and Doug McDermott have been subpar this season and this is where versatile wing Wilson Chandler comes in. The Bulls would have to ship off prized rookie Nikola Mirotic to Denver to make this trade work but they've already got Taj Gibson backing up Pau Gasol anyway. Mike Dunleavy is expendable now that Chandler is on the scene and Cleveland's 2015 first round pick won't be worth much now that they've got some guys named LeBron James and Kevin Love on their team. A bonus for the Bulls in this trade is receiving Jusuf Nurkic to help backup Noah at the center position.

 

Why it works for Denver - This trade is definitely a trade that allows the Nuggets to win now and in the future. Aside from Dunleavy, Denver is receiving two young assets - a first-round pick for the 2015 draft and the 23 year-old Spanish rookie, Nikola Mirotic. The Bulls would be very reluctant to let go of Mirotic after they turned down top 10 picks in this year's loaded draft in return for the international star (according to Chicago GM Gar Forman). However, it might just come down to needs over wants in the Windy City as they push for a championship. If the former Spanish ACB League MVP could continue to be productive for Denver like he is right now in Chicago, then the Nuggets would be more than happy to bring in Mirotic.

 

MKG ON THE MOVE

Denver sends: Wilson Chandler, JaVale McGee and L.A. Clippers 2015 second round pick
Charlotte sends: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Gerald Henderson and Bismack Biyombo

Why it works for Charlotte - The Hornets are in panic mode right now. After a season in which the franchise made the playoffs for only the second time since the Bobcats were introduced and added shooting guard Lance Stephenson and rookies Noah Vonleh and P.J. Hairston in the offseason (while rebranding into the Hornets), the buzz was back in Buzz City. So far, however, Charlotte are the frontrunners for the most disappointing team of the year, even out in a weak Eastern Conference. The Hornets have now made it known that everyone on their roster is available if the price is right (except for Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker). In a panic move, Charlotte could pull the trigger on this trade. They'd receive Wilson Chandler and JaVale McGee along with a second-round pick from the Clippers. Chandler could fit nicely into Charlotte's line-up alongside Stephenson on the wings and McGee would also be a superb back-up behind Big Al. Although Chandler is currently a better player, McGee has lots of potential and has no place in Denver behind so many other big men. Moving to Charlotte could help McGee start to discover his potential in a possible sixth-man role.

Why it works for Denver - Again, Charlotte would have to be panicking a bit when it makes this trade but it isn't completely out of the question that this trade could come to fruition. Firstly, none of the pieces that Denver are giving away will be missed deeply (especially the 2015 second round pick from the Clippers as the pick would only go to Charlotte if L.A. finish with a top 5 record at the end of this season). Secondly, all the pieces that Denver is receiving can and would be used well. Bismack Biyombo is a supreme shot-blocker, Gerald Henderson was a key part in Charlotte's run to the playoffs last year (14.0 PPG) and the main piece of the trade, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, is the reason that Denver pulls this trade without a second thought. The former second overall pick is still very young, on the rise and improving (especially after working hard to fix his ugly jumpshot). His defence is also superb so when the Nuggets need offence at SF, they turn to Danilo Gallinari off the bench and for defensive stops, Kidd- Gilchrist is there for years to come.

 

ISO JOE FOR ARRON AFFLALO

 

Denver sends: Arron Afflalo, JaVale McGee and Gary Harris

Brooklyn sends: Joe Johnson

 

Why it works for Brooklyn - The Brooklyn Nets have recently made it known that their three former all-stars (Joe Johnson, Deron Williams and Brook Lopez) are now available via trade. In this trade, Brooklyn unloads its heaviest contract in the form of Johnson. In return, they get JaVale McGee, who provides insurance at the center position (especially if they choose to deal Lopez as well as Johnson), Gary Harris, a first-round pick in this year's loaded draft, and Arron Afflalo. Afflalo averaged a career-high 18.2 PPG and 3.4 APG (also career-high) last season for the Orlando Magic but has struggled in his second stint with the Nuggets. This is a great package for Brooklyn, mostly because they get rid of Johnson's ridiculous contract, but also because they'd receive a rookie, a center with potential and a above-average shooting guard that could revive his play on a team such as the Nets.

 

Why it works for Denver - I'm not sure that the Nuggets would want to absorb Joe Johnson's massive contract and I'm also not sure whether or not they want to give up on the Lawson-Afflalo backcourt pairing just yet. However, if things start to get worse in the Mile High City, then Denver could pull the trigger on this trade and get Joe Johnson off the Brooklyn Nets for a reasonably low price. The Nuggets are deep at almost every position and this trade would allow a lot of guys more playing time. The Nuggets might be reluctant to give up their rookie in Harris but Johnson is very good and has proven to be a reliable scorer, especially down the stretch. It would be interesting to see how a Lawson-Johnson backcourt would operate but we'd be sure to see some sick crossovers and clutch performances and ultimately, probably a few more wins on the board, too.

 

 

THE MANIMAL HEADS EAST

Denver sends: Kenneth Faried and JJ Hickson
Philadelphia sends: Nerlens Noel, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Denver's 2016 second round pick

Why it works for Philadelphia - Look, Kenneth, I'm really, really sorry for sending you to basketball purgatory (Sorry, Philly fans, I apologize but your team is pretty awful right now) but I know that you love putting a smile on other's faces and that's what the fans in Philly need right now. You even get to bring JJ Hickson with you so you can dunk on everyone in the City of Brotherly Love together! Philadelphia owes it to its fan base to give them something to cheer for. They've got Joel Embiid on the roster and when he comes back, he is the franchise centrepiece. Noel doesn't seem like a traditional PF and he wouldn't be an ideal fit next to Embiid. Faried gives the Sixers another building block and Hickson gives them a solid backup center for when Embiid returns to the line up. Most of all, Philly fans will have something to cheer for until they start winning in a few years with this same core of players, including Faried and Embiid and maybe even Hickson, too.

Why it works for Denver - It's rumoured that Faried isn't "loved" within the Nuggets organisation and although it'd be hard for Denver fans to let one of their favourite players (and dunkers) go, in this trade, they'd receive a highlight reel on the defensive end - rookie Nerlens Noel. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is also included in this deal but he's more here just to make the cap work and Denver also gets its 2016 second round pick back, too. However, it's Nerlens Noel, the rookie out of Kentucky oozing with potential, that is the heart of the deal for the Nuggets. After being sidelined with an injury in what was supposed to be his rookie campaign, Noel has come into the NBA with a reputation for swatting shots left and right. Although his defence is what catches everyone's eyes, his offence is slowly, but surely, improving behind the jump shot reconstruction that the staff in Philly helped out with. Right now, this deal might seem in Philly's favour but in years time, it could be Denver laughing when Nerlens Noel is collecting Defensive Player of the Year Awards and All-Star invitations.

 

 

THE DRAGON REIGNS SUPREME IN DENVER



Denver sends: Arron Afflalo, Gary Harris and New York's 2016 first round pick
Phoenix sends: Goran Dragic

Why it works for Phoenix - I can hear Phoenix Suns fans from around the world screaming at me for trading Goran Dragic away to the Nuggets. I know it's not likely but the Suns could look to move the Dragon as he has publicly informed everyone that he will opt out of his current contract this coming offseason and explore free agency. If Phoenix decides to deal him, this is a potential trade, albeit an unlikely one. Arron Afflalo (who can also opt out of his contract after this year) gives Phoenix a traditional SG to slot next to Eric Bledsoe and Gary Harris, another young piece that could help the Suns compete in a tough Western Conference for years to come. New York's 2016 first round pick is also very valuable, barring moves being made that bring Rajon Rondo, Marc Gasol and/or other big free agent names to the Knicks. Again, the Suns are unlikely to make a move but if they feel that Dragic is expendable now with both Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas in the mix, (and the fact that most of Dragic's numbers are down from last year's Most Improved Player campaign), then this could be a trade that they accept. However, they would have to be sure that Dragic, in most likelihood, wouldn't re-sign  with them in free agency and that, if acquired, Afflalo would stay with the club.

Why it works for Denver - If I were the Denver Nuggets General Manager, then this one is a no-brainer, even if you know that you could lose Dragic after this season. You could be losing Afflalo this season anyway and New York are likely to attract free agents because of their market and their president, Phil Jackson, so their draft pick might not be worth as much as it is now. Dragic is a borderline all-star and the promise of a full-time starting role in Denver in a guard-heavy league, as well as being a face of a franchise, is an enticing offer that could help persuade Dragic to stay in Denver past this season. I imagine that a Lawson-Dragic backcourt would work magic and help the Nuggets to continue to contend for a playoff spot in a tough Western Conference for many years. If Dragic doesn't return to Denver in 2016, then Randy Foye is still there for insurance for a season and it gives the Nuggets cap room to chase a free agent, especially if they are able to shed other large contracts such as JaVale McGee's or Danilo Gallinari's. This is an unlikely trade but if it happened, it could pay dividends for the Nuggets if the Dragon ultimately decides to re-sign in the offseason and reign supreme in the land of Denver.



Who do YOU think the Nuggets need to trade?
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 COMING SOON -  5 Trades for Charlotte's Lance Stephenson