With the news breaking of Dwyane Wade signing with the Chicago Bulls, the Nuggets are going to have to take a step back from the "win now" mentality and revert back into the rebuilding and reconstructing process. While it would have been nice to add a savvy veteran like Wade without losing any other core pieces, there are a couple trade options that GM Tim Connelly could explore that could leave the Nuggets better off than signing Dwyane would have. These are all hypothetical but could, theoretically, begin to guide the Nuggets towards a win now mentality. These trades wouldn’t make the Nuggets a champion contenteder and perhaps not even a playoff team, but they set us up well to succeed in the near future. With that being said, here a few trades that could alter the course of the Nuggets:
Blake Griffin and a 2019 First Round Pick for Kenneth Faried, Nikola Jokic, Jameer Nelson, and a 2017 Second Round Pick
Blake Griffin to Denver was a realistic possibility last season, but with the construction of the Warriors super-team and the depletion of the Clipper’s depth chart, the Clippers may now be reluctant to move their perennial all-star and former #1 overall pick. Nevertheless, this trade works for both parties; the Nuggets finally get a star that can attract other stars in the stacked 2017 free agent class, and the Clippers get a hard working defensive nightmare in Kenneth Faried and a young rising center in Nikola Jokic. Jameer Nelson can be waived or moved in another trade, helping the Clippers get below the luxury tax line. This trade would most likely not move the Nuggets into playoff contention, but this would ensure that they maintain a coveted lottery pick in the upcoming 2017 draft, which is loaded with talent. The ship may have sailed on Griffin coming to Denver, but this is the best way to bring a star to the Mile High City.
Jahlil Okafor and Kendal Marshall for Kenneth Faried and a 2019 First Round Pick
The 76ers are trying to move either Jahlil or Nerlens Noel at all costs to make room for the long awaited debut of Joel Embiid, and it’s reasonable to believe that the former Blue Devil could thrive in this up-tempo, young system set up in Denver. The 76ers would finally get a solid role player on their roster of young and unproven guys and would dump one of their three centers for a solid starter who would contribute right away. Marshall would also thrive in the young core and be a solid back-up for Mudiay. Again, the Nuggets wouldn’t win right away with Okafor, but they would get a potential superstar and still protect that coveted 2017 first round pick.
Demarcus Cousins, Darren Collison, and Ben McLemore for Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried, Gary Harris, and a 2018 First Round Pick
Given that Demarcus Cousins, if moved at all, is most likely going to the Cavs in exchange for Kevin Love and Iman Shumpert, and that clueless owner/dictator Vivek Ranadivé would only move his coveted big man for another player with Boogie’s potential, it’s nice to think that this trade could work positively for the Nuggets. Boogie is a superstar and will play better for a (somewhat) competent franchise that realizes his potential and will actually build around him. Collison is a great option for a second point guard and McLemore is capable of being an effective scorer if he’s sees the floor. The Kings will get two scrappy vets that can compete and young rising star in Harris. This is a good trade for both parties that will, unfortunately, never happen.
