Denver Nuggets Would Be Crazy To Keep Kenneth Faried Over 2016 Offseason

For the Denver Nuggets, the future is not looking any brighter than it was during the Carmelo Anthony era ended. They do not have any impactful young players, and are loaded with overpaid and underachieving veterans who are closer to retirement than their primes. Mike Miller and Jameer Nelson are not the players you want on your team to compete for an NBA title.

Nuggets end-of-season evaluations 2016: Kenneth Faried https://t.co/6ACWolpQ5z

— Denver Post Breaking (@DenverPostBrk) April 21, 2016

With a roster that is not close to being competitive in the league, it is time for a major overhaul through trades to acquire draft picks over the next few seasons. By trading Kenneth Faried, Denver would ideally trade for a draft pick with the potential of adding a solid rookie or sophomore depending on who the trade partner is.

Rather than focusing on the player they could get in return, Denver should try its hardest to stockpile as many draft picks as possible. These can either be used to trade up for a player who could be impactful immediately, or for numerous players who could eventually become great.

If Denver had to trade for a player instead, the Toronto Raptors could be a perfect fit if they’re willing to give up Terrence Ross, somebody who would shine if given more time and touches. He could be a franchise player with the Nuggets. With Luis Scola being the starting power forward in Toronto, they may not hesitate to make this deal.

Faried is a good player, but he is not somebody Denver can build around or leave on the roster to see if he is able to unleash his potential. He will continue to put up around 12 points and eight or nine rebounds for at least another few years, but this will be for a mediocre Denver team. The Nuggets will not be ready to compete for the playoffs until Faried’s prime has passed, and unless the team wants to just watch him age, they may as well get something out of him.

Faried is not the only piece who must be moved, but he has one of the team’s more recognizable names, and would likely see a good return on the team’s investment from when they took him 22nd overall in the 2012 NBA Draft. A massive overhaul is in their future, but this has to be the first domino to fall.