The Denver Nuggets could look at a Kenneth Faried trade this season if the team has another bad year and this comes as the team has agreed to a contract extension with Danilo Gallinari and a new deal with Darrell Arthur in free agency, while Emmanuel Mudiay and Jameer Nelson now will battle to start at point guard with Ty Lawson traded to the Houston Rockets.
The Nuggets look like they are ready for the Emmanuel Mudiay era in Denver, as the team has traded Lawson to the Rockets. The Nuggets and Lawson have had their issues in the past and his second DUI was the last straw for the team. The Lakers were also interested, but the Nuggets looked at the Rockets as a better option. According to Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post, Mudiay likely will be the starting point guard for the team this season, as the Nuggets are in a rebuild and need him to start contributing right away.
Kiszla wrote that Mudiay outplayed D'Angelo Russell in the summer league and that while he needs work, Mudiay is the best option for the Nuggets now that Lawson is gone. The team signed back Jameer Nelson to a contract in free agency and he is likely going to be the main backup and could split time with Mudiay in the starting lineup. Adrian Wojnarowski wrote about the potential for Mudiay starting when he reported on the Lawson trade and Mudiay comes in after averaging 12 points and six assists per game in the summer league.
General manager Tim Connelly said to the Washington Post in an interview that Mudiay is a player that "you can grow with and you can trust" and he likely was comparing the youngster to Lawson, who had some substance issues while with the Nuggets. Mudiay now has the chance to prove himself in camp and if he plays well, he could start. The Nuggets brought back Nelson on a deal and he reportedly signed a three year contract, according to Marc Stein at ESPN.
The Nuggets have continued to make moves this summer after trading Lawson, as they are planning to sign back Darrell Arthur and have agreed to extensions with Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, Gallinari is signing an extension after he was mentioned in trade rumors with the Celtics and Grizzlies and the deal has "an additional $34 million" and a "restructuring" that increases his salary.
Gallinari came back from an injury last season and scored nearly 20 points per game in the matchups after the all-star break, according to Pro Basketball Talk. Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post reports that the Nuggets are bringing back Arthur and that he is "expected to sign this week. Arthur averaged 6.6 points last season in 58 games for the Nuggets.
Faried reportedly was a target for George Karl and the Kings this summer, but the team is not dealing DeMarcus Cousins, so that is likely off the table. Faried is signed through the 2018-19 season and is getting paid over $11 million next year. The Nuggets could consider a move if they struggle this season and Faried could be a target at the deadline.
Check here for more on the Denver Nuggets offseason moves, the trade of Ty Lawson and more on Emmanuel Mudiay.
