The Denver Nuggets are not done trading

Published: 22nd Feb 11 1:25 pm
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The Denver Nuggets traded Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks Monday night to end the Melo-Drama. Tuesday, reports say the Nuggets are not done wheeling and dealing before the NBA trade deadline Thursday.

Denver is now trying to sign Nene to an extension and trade newly acquired Danillo Gallinari. ESPN’s Ric Bucher said the Nuggets don’t expect to keep him on the roster while ESPN’s Chris Broussard reports the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors are all interested Gallinari suitors.

When the Nuggets traded Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter, Renaldo Balkman and Sheldon Williams to the Knicks, they received Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, Raymond Felton and Wilson Chandler. The ESPN basketball gurus state Denver are not offering Felton, Mozgov or Chandler.

Moving Gallinari might be a smart move if the Nuggets can land a younger big man, back up point guard or a defensive two-guard. Kenyon Martin is on his last legs and Chris “Birdman” Anderson lacks inside scoring and is often injured. Mozgov is a good addition, but the Nuggets need one more inside guy.

Felton has shown he is a starting point guard with his play in New York this season, but he currently doesn’t have any help since Carter and Billups are gone.

Also, J.R. Smith and Arron Affalo are scoring guards, not defensive play makers. Affalo is serviceable, but nothing to brag about.

Keeping Gallinari would mean a minutes war between two and three spot players: Chandler, Al Harrington, Affalo, Smith and Gallinari. I think there would be a locker room controversy if this lineup is the end result.

Gallinari would be a good fit with the Clippers, but who would the Nuggets get back? Maybe Ryan Gomes and Eric Bledsoe or Al-Farouq Aminu and Randy Foye.  Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan would be good for the Nuggets but the Clippers will not part with Jordan and would be iffy on Bledsoe.

Either way, it seems Denver is going for the youth movement.

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