This is as convinced as I’ve been in the last 3 years that the Nuggets are set to make a major move at the trade deadline. Everything seems to have aligned to make it happen. Not only do we have a young player that other teams want, we also want to move him. Also we are in a position where we’ve got a shot at securing a playoff spot this year, but also improving our team for the future and begin the transition from a rebuilding club to a perennial contender.

Nurkic is the obvious player to go in free agency, however it wouldn’t surprise me if other rotation players were moved as well. As much as we love Danilo Gallinari, he has a player option for this offseason and will either sign somewhere else or demand a much bigger contract than he has now. The team may decide to add him to a Nurkic trade to find a more affordable long term solution. Faried’s name also comes up repeatedly in trade rumors and I doubt that changes this trade deadline. Will Barton and Wilson Chandler are also likely involved in trade discussions, but they seem to be better fits long term with this Nuggets team than Gallo and Faried.

Those are the assets we’ve got that are reasonably available to other teams. Some of our younger players may be available as well, but it largely depends on the type of trade. For instance, my guess is the front office is starting to consider options at Point Guard. It has been the worst position on the team for 2 years now and if they make a trade for a starting caliber point guard it wouldn’t surprise me if Emmanuel Mudiay became a big part of that discussion. Likely Connelly would try to hold onto the 1st round pick, but if it means getting a starting caliber Point Guard in return my guess is the Nuggets would be consider trading him.

Rubio and Dragic seem the most likely targets if we are looking for a starting point guard. Dragic seems like the more natural fit with our roster, but Rubio is younger and actually brings some perimeter defense that the Nuggets desperately need. Dragic might be overpriced based on report that Miami turned down Vucevic and a 1st round pick for him just a week or so ago.

One trade partner that seems intriguing is Boston as they are in a similar situation with a lot of assets and a need to tweak the roster to reach the next level. It’s been no secret that they have been interested in Gallo for a long time. One rumor I saw recently had Boston sending Johnson, Zeller, Crowder, and Rozier to the Nuggets for Nurkic, Gallo, Jameer, and Arthur. I think that would be a great deal for the Nuggets as Johnson and Zeller would adequately fill the reserve rolls vacated by an unhappy Nurkic and chronically injured Arthur. Crowder is a younger and cheaper Small Forward who is a step down offensively but a big improvement defensively and Rozier is another young guard we can add to the mix who could potentially be a star for us. I personally think Boston would be stupid to make that deal, but if I was Tim Connelly I’d do whatever I could to make it happen.

Portland is another oft mentioned trade partner for Nurkic, but I’m not exactly sure what they would be willing to give up to get him and they don’t have many desirable assets. McCollum is interesting, but due for a massive raise and likely ungettable, Plumlee would be interesting, but is set to be a free agent and unlikely to resign as a backup. That leaves guys like Ed Davis, meyers Leonard and Moe Harkless none of which are all that exciting. Evan Turner and Allen Crabbe are likely available, but they have huge contracts and play at a position he already have plenty of talent at.

For all of our guesses the deal that ends up happening will probably be something no one has speculated about yet, but I’m becoming more and more confident that a significant deal will happen before the deadline and may already be in the works.