The Denver Nuggets are coming into the trade deadline as a team that could be very active, as reports have Ty Lawson, Kenneth Faried, JaVale McGee, Arron Afflalo, Wilson Chandler and Jameer Nelson available for trades and teams like the Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers, Sixers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and Boston Celtics could be interested.
Arron Afflalo has come up in trade rumors heading into the deadline, while Wilson Chandler has had interest from the Portland Trail Blazers. According to ESPN.com, Grantland writer Zach Lowe reports that Denver is looking for first round picks for Chandler and Afflalo in deals at the deadline and mentioned that the Blazers, Wizards and Clippers could be interested. The Nuggets already traded Timofey Mozgov this season to the Cavaliers and Lowe adds that Lawson, Faried and McGee could also be available.
Lowe writes that while the Nuggets are not shopping those players, Denver would listen if a blockbuster type deal came along. Faried just signed a big contract, while Lawson has been one of the league leaders in assists per game. Lowe writes that the Boston Celtics and Nuggets have had "exploratory" talks about Lawson and that could pick up closer to the deadline. The article also adds that the Nuggets would be willing to part ways with McGee if the right deal came along.
Teams like the Blazers, Rockets, Clippers and Wizards have all dealt with injuries heading into the All-Star break and they could look at trade support at the deadline. Dwight Howard is out with a knee issue, while Blake Griffin and Robin Lopez are banged up for their teams. Chandler and Afflalo have been shopped for most of the season and are the most likely to go, while Faried is the player most likely to stay.
Afflalo has been getting attention and Ramona Shelburne from ESPN.com reports that he has been a target for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Sacramento Kings. The Clippers and Chicago Bulls have also been interested in Afflalo and Shelburn writes that he could be an "interesting add" for a contender down the stretch. Lawson could be a fit for the Celtics, as they have cap space and he has $25 million left on his deal over the next two years. Lawson is averaging 16 points and is second in the league in assists per game.
Faried is the most talented of the bunch and that is why he's not likely to go anywhere. Faried is averaging 15 points per game and 11 rebounds and he was impressive in Team USA basketball this summer. Reggie Jackson and Brook Lopez have both come up in connection with the Nuggets this season and they also have Randy Foye as a potential target for trades. Marc Stein at ESPN.com writes that the Nuggets want at least a first round pick for Afflalo, who has a $7.5 million option for next year. Jusuf Nurkic is considered to be untouchable in trades for the Nuggets.
The Nuggets also have JJ Hickson and he was part of the trade package that the team offered to Brooklyn for Brook Lopez. The Nuggets offered Hickson along with JaVale McGee and two first round picks for Lopez, but the Nets turned that deal down. The team acquired one of those picks from the Cavs in the Timofey Mozgov trade and they are looking to move that pick.