Denver Nuggets NBA Trade Rumors: Nuggets Asks for Draft Pick and Swap Rights for Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler
Right now, the Denver Nuggets are in eighth place in the Western Conference and they will have to hold off the Portland Trail Blazers and the New Orleans Pelicans if they want to retain their spot in the playoffs. With this in mind, many will assume that they probably have to strengthen their roster for a playoff push during the second half of the season. Well, the Nuggets are not going to do that. Instead, they are looking to unload two of their key players.
ESPN's Zach Lowe has revealed that Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler were still on the trading block, and he also said the team was looking for a lottery-protected first-round pick and swap rights in return for the two. Furthermore, Lowe said the Nuggets were confident they could still reach the postseason if they move one of them.
Well, the Nuggets do have a logjam of sorts at the wing positions, but Gallinari and Chandler are arguably their most consistent wings.
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Gallinari isn't just a dangerous perimeter threat at the small forward position. At 6 feet 10 inches, he can also play the four position and give opposing defenses fits with his quickness and ball handling skills. Teams reportedly interested in him include the Dallas Mavericks, the Boston Celtics, the Toronto Raptors and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Chandler can also play both forward positions. He doesn't have Gallinari's reputation as a shooter, but he can spread the floor as well with his three-point shots and mid-range game. He's also a solid defender who won't have any problems guarding opposing power forwards.
The Houston Rockets were reportedly interested in Chandler, but they have already acquired Lou Williams. He was also linked to the Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, but no deal has materialized so far.
The Nuggets can always play Will Barton at small forward if any of the two ends up getting traded. And Gary Harris can also slide to the position to free up more playing time for promising rookie Jamal Murray.
The Nuggets will have to move fast if they want to trade Gallinari and Chandler because they only have a few more hours to work out a deal before the trade window closes.
