As a big Nuggets fan I can't help but feel that the team is currently a nice collection of assets, rather than a roster of players that complement each other with easily definable roles. With an enormous amount of cap space and young players who can contribute immediately (and possibly grow into stars of their own), I played around on the NBA Trade Machine and came up with this "dream trade" scenario (don't laugh - it's only a DREAM!!):

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=zbmuwzo

NOTE: Washington and NO each get one of Denver's first round picks next year (top 5 protected).

Why Golden State says yes. GS is already over the cap and faces the prospect of paying Steph and KD max money next year (KD has an opt out and Steph is a FA). In addition, Iggy and Livingston will be free agents and the team doesn't have great bench depth outside of these two (unless you're counting on David West's corpse) + a hole at C (Zaza!). This trade provides GS with a young C who provides better interior D and post passing than Zaza, a young SG who can start immediately and provide solid 2-way play and a reliable swing man in Chandler who is on a great contract. Basically they get a collection of young pieces that can fit nicely on a roster that still has Steph, KD and Draymond + cap help to keep their contention window open longer.

Why Washington says yes. Wash has serious chemistry issues between its two highest paid players and a roster filled with underwhelming talent and mismatched pieces. This trade provides an opportunity to acquire a young PG who can grow into a complementary piece next to Beal, a big upgrade at the SF over Porter and Oubre, and a 1st in a deep draft to help upgrade the roster. There is a risk of Gallo opting out and moving elsewhere, but Wash would have his bird rights and he would fit well with floor spacers like Beal and Morris.

Why NO says yes. The only way to pry a potentially transcendent player from a wayward team is to offer a godfather package that provides talent, upside and cap relief. Here Denver offers a potential young all-star in Jokic, an exciting young PF (a spot vacated by Davis) and a legit SG who would be an upgrade over Moore - all of whom are on amazing contracts. Denver also takes the Zombie Formerly Known as Asik and the 4 years remaining on his $58M contract (4th yr is ETO) AND offers up the other 1st round pick it owns in 2017.

Why Denver says yes.

First let's look at the roster if this trade happens...

Wall / Nelson

Thompson / Murray / Beasley / Gee

Juancho / *Toupane (sign from D League) / Miller

Davis / Arthur

*Stokes (re-signed w/ new roster space) / Asik

+ two other players added on 1-year deals.

• The starting 5 speaks for itself. Fast, athletic, young and versatile. Klay is the best SG in basketball. Wall is an aggressive PG who can push the pace and can work with a more reliable (and higher BBIQ) SG who he can trust. Davis if healthy has the opportunity to become one of the 50 greatest players ever. Asik provides depth in the front court and can play a reasonably(?) solid 15 mpg.
• This trade only adds $15.5M to Denver's cap, meaning that the team would STILL be $3.4M under the cap. Klay, Davis and Wall are all under non-expiring contracts, as well.
• I intentionally want Stokes to start at center and I just arbitrarily re-signed him to contract now that there is roster space available post-trade. He would make a great grinder/glue guy in the front court next to Davis. He doesn't need the ball, he sets great picks, gets rebounds and plays solid interior D.
• Juancho needs to be freed and by playing next to dynamic young stars he wouldn't feel burdened to contribute more than he's able to right now. He is quick enough to play SF and has the range to help space the floor from that position.
• A small ball lineup of Wall, Murray, Klay, Juancho and Davis would be incredibly entertaining for fans and doubly scary for opponents.
• The 2017 picks are a luxury with so many young players already on the roster - this would be the perfect opportunity to cash them in to help close the deal for obtaining established stars who have a lot of basketball ahead of them.
• Murray and Beasley get more opportunities for minutes in the backcourt with Mudiay, Harris and Barton gone.
• The roster opens up to bring Petr Cornelie over next year.