The Denver Nuggets are knocking on the door of playoff legitimacy in the NBA. Jokic is beginning to think of himself as a star, evidenced by his disgust at Jerebko being tasked with defending him. Murray, Harris, Chandler and Lyles have all taken steps this year and most believe the team can take another step once Millsap returns.
The difficulty that has to be faced is the question of whether or not this team, in it’s current iteration, is a championship team. A significant group of teams, built for today and some for tomorrow simply boast more current or potential star talent than the Nuggets. The following set of trades are designed to balance that talent gap and provide the Nuggets with the top tier talent needed to win it all in today’s NBA.
With no further ado, here they are. All trades have been approved by the trade machine.
1. Okay, I love TORREY CRAIG but I don't see him as the small forward of a championship team. Kenneth Faried and Trey Lyles for Jonas Valanciunias and O.G. Anunoby. Toronto probably says no on this but what they need is a shooting four who can space the floor. Ibaka and Poeltl are the Raptor’s two best options at center. They are desperate for a true stretch four. This trade makes them faster, more athletic and more playoff ready. The Nuggets take back an extra year of Jonas’ exorbitant contract as part of the price for OG. The Raptors are a piece away from making some noise and realize their window with DeMar and Lowry is closing. Maybe they make this move. The Nuggets do this because at twenty years old OG is already one of the top small forwards in the league. His RPM numbers are staggering and he passes the eye test as well. He’s going to be a defensive superstar and his offense is smart and a perfect fit with this team. The Trey loss will hurt this year but Lydon or Juancho will fill the hole eventually. Make the call.
2. Markelle Fultz, J.J. Redick and Furkan Korkmaz for Kenneth Faried, Darrell Arthur, Gary Harris and Jamal Murray. Most Denver fans will hate this immediately, but give this a chance. Philly needs some high level, two way guards desperately. Gary and Jamal decisively make Philly a playoff team and barring injury to Embiid and Simmons, they stay that way for a long time. Murray and Harris will also help Saric develop as they are used to playmaking bigs like Jokic. Philly doesn’t have room for three superstars. Already Fultz is feeling the famous fickleness of Philly fans. Once his injury heals Fultz will be ready to prove himself, especially in a new locale. This trade is a steal but maybe Philly is ready to get taken in return for playoff legitimacy. Losing Harris and Murray hurts but neither is going to be a superstar. Fultz has an excellent chance to become one. Two good for one great is a trade you make everyday.
3. Finally, the Hornets are out of the playoffs and looking worse everyday. They need to give Malik Monk more time but have paid so much right now to compete they are continuing to run everything through Kemba Walker. Kemba has been fantastic but his supporting cast is so bad it’s almost comical. In return for Kemba, Denver gives up Mudiay, Beasley, Will Barton and Juancho Hernangomez. Kemba is the actualized version of Jamal Murray and we’ll even get to see some Kemba - Murray lineups that would be interesting. Barton provides 85% of what Kemba was doing in Charlotte and the young prospects will be a welcome change to a fan base watching overpaid players get overmatched every night.
The Nuggets have a lot of young prospects but only one potential superstar in Jokic. It’s time to turn some of those assets into the second foundational piece needed for a championship team.
