This is a very large offseason for Denver, if they want to make a splash, perhaps it's better to cannonball then to just edge off the divingboard.


Call me crazy but here's my idea.

First off, long time reader, but first time poster. I've been a Nuggets fan since 93, I hold on to memories of seeing Isiah Rider playing in preseason games (was one of my favorite players) and Nick the quick beating the Lakers. I've watched them through thick and thin, and I realize this might be the best off-season opportunity since 04.

I've been racking my brain with all the Dwight Howard trades, and have difficulty overcoming one thing. If they trade with the Lakers, they'll have almost 90 million to a team that I think is a low playoff seed in the East. If they trade with the Nets, they'll still have a borderline playoff team that is in the luxury tax. To me the logical thing would be to collect some picks, talent, and keep your team atleast under the luxury tax.

This would assume the following

Nene resigns for the 10-11 range

Affalo resigns for 6-7 range

Chandler resigns for 7-8 range

JR Smith resigns for the 5-6 range

So without further addeu here is my idea for a trade, lambest away.

Denver Trades
Wilson Chandler (sign and trade)
Raymond Felton
Timofey Mozgov
Kosta Koufos
Trade Exception (Carmelo Anthony trade, 17.1 million)
Denver 1st 2012

Golden State 2nd Round pick 2012
NYK 1st 2014 (protection is 2 years after the claim from Houston getting their pick)
Rights to swap first round picks with NYK in 2016

Denver Receives
Dwight Howard
Chris Duhon
Hidayet Turkoglu
Trade Exception (Shane Battier Trade, 7 million)

Houston Trades
Jordan Hill
Courtney Lee
Trade Exception (Shane Battier Trade, 7 million)

Houston Receives
Raymond Felton

Orlando Trades
Dwight Howard
Chris Duhon
Hidayet Turkoglu
Daniel Orton

Orlando Receives
Wilson Chandler
Jordan Hill
Courney Lee
Timofey Mozgov
Kosta Koufos
Trade Exception (Carmelo Anthony trade, 17.1 million)
Denver 1st 2011 or 2012
Golden State 2nd Round pick 2012

NYK 1st 2014
Rights to swap first round picks with NYK in 2016

This would field Denver with the following team:

Ty Lawson/Chris Duhon

Aaron Affalo/JR Smith

Danilo Gallinari/Hidayet Turkoglu

Nene/Al Harrington

Dwight Howard/Chris Anderson/Daniel Orton

House is included as with Arenas and Nelson on Orlando another PG would be pointless. Houston nearly ran Lowry to death and has an abundance of wing players. This Denver team would be near 72 million a year (below what we were paying with Melo, and just right around the luxury tax). Of course the new CBA could change everything. Dwight Howard is exactly what we need (as well as everyone else) a strong rebounding center and great help defender. Wish we could keep Kmart, but Al Harrington ate his money and roster spot...I'll let you guys decide if that's a literal statement or figurative. So thoughts other Denver fans.