Nuggets Trade Deadline Preview: Can Denver find help on the wing?

Tim Connelly has made a trade on deadline day each of the last two seasons.

Last year, Denver swapped Gary Harris, RJ Hampton and a future first round pick for Aaron Gordon and Gary Clark. The Nuggets also dealt Isaiah Hartenstein and a pair of future second round picks for JaVale McGee. At the 2020 deadline, Denver sent Malik Beasley, Juancho Hernangomez and Jarred Vanderbilt to Minnesota and landed Keita Bates-Diop, Noah Vonleh, Gerald Green, Shabazz Napier and a 2020 first round pick that later became Zeke Nnaji.

The Nuggets are once again trying to improve their roster ahead of this year’s trade deadline — today at 1:00 pm MT.

Finding a wing defender

Ever since losing PJ Dozier to a torn ACL, my read has been that Denver has been thinking about adding another defender on the wing. Davon Reed has been solid, but the Nuggets still want to make an addition there.

The Nuggets’ two most likely players to be traded: JaMychal Green (making $8.2 million) and Facu Campazzo (making $3.1 million). That gives Denver a little over $11 million to match an incoming salary with. Green has dropped behind Zeke Nanji in Denver’s front court rotation. Campazzo has been overtaken by rookie Bones Hyland at backup point guard. My feeling is the Nuggets are fine parting with both, but Green, who signed a one-year deal with the Nuggets last summer, must approve any trade he’s a part of.

I think the Nuggets would be willing to move Austin Rivers too. Other role players — Monte Morris, Will Barton, Jeff Green — shouldn’t be categorized as off-limits, but I’d be surprised if they got dealt. I highly doubt Denver seriously entertains dealing Hyland or Zeke Nnaji.

In search of a backup center

At one point, DeMarcus Cousins was looking like he could be the Nuggets’ answer at backup center. Cousins was impactful during his two 10-day contracts. His presence had an undeniably positive impact on the Nuggets’ bench but his durability was a red flag. Cousins was dealing with a nagging calf injury when he got to town that delayed his debut and picked up a foot sprain that only allowed him to appear in two games during his second 10-day deal. In total, Cousins played five games with the Nuggets and Denver went 5-0 with him in the lineup. He averaged 6 points and 7 rebounds (Cousins had the best REB% in a Nuggets uniform) in 13 minutes per game.

Denver could still bring Cousins back on another 10-day deal and then sign him for the rest of the season. Michael Malone definitely wants that to happen.

“DeMarcus has been great for us,” Malone said Tuesday. “I fully expect DeMarcus Cousins to be back with us at some point. He’s got to stop getting techs, and that’s an ongoing conversation. The basketball aspect of it, he’s been tremendous. We’re 5-0 in games in which DeMarcus has played for us. I think, as an organization, you do what you have to do to give yourselves as much flexibility as possible. With that being said, it is my hope that DeMarcus is back with this team in the near future.”

In the interim, expect the Nuggets to poke around on the backup center market today. Potential names could include Nerlens Noel and Robin Lopez

My top trade targets on the wing

– Josh Hart ($12.9 million, Blazers)

Stats: 13.4 pts (50.5 FG%, 32.3 3P%), 7.8 rebs, 4.1 asts per game

Hart just got traded to Portland, but the Blazers could look to flip him for an asset. He’d probably cost a first-round pick but would give Denver a strong wing defender who would overtake Austin Rivers/Davon Reed in the rotation.

– Kenrich Williams ($2 million, Thunder)

Stats: 7.2 pts (44.8 FG%, 35.1 3P%), 4.4 rebs. 2.2 asts per game

My top trade target since Day 1. Williams, a former Nuggets Summer Leaguer, fits the Nuggets’ basketball DNA. He does a little bit of everything — versatile defender, quality shooter, strong passer. Williams would also likely require a first-round pick.

– Robert Covington ($12.9 million, Clippers)

Stats: 7.8 pts (38.5 FG%, 34.6 3P%), 5.7 REBS, 1.4 asts per game

– I don’t know if the Clippers have the appetite to move Covington after just acquiring him from Portland, but he’s a long wing that would give the Nuggets more versatility. He could fit with almost any lineup.

– Hamidou Diallo ($5.2 million, Pistons)

Stats: 11 pts (49.6 FG%, 25 3P%), 4.8 rebs, 1.2 asts per game

Diallo impressed me when the Nuggets played in Detroit a few weeks back and he finished with 14 points and 5 rebounds. He’s not a great shooter, but at 23-years-old is a young wing with some defensive upside. He’s also a strong rebounder with a ton of athleticism.

– Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (13 million, Wizards)

Stats: 11.3 pts (40.4 FG%, 35.8 3P%), 3.4 rebs, 1.7 asts per game

The lasting image you probably have of Caldwell-Pope is him never missing a shot against the Nuggets in the 2020 Western Conference Finals. Caldwell-Pope actually went 11-25 from 3-point range vs. Denver that series and can still shoot the rock. He’s converting 37% of his triples this season and is a sturdy defender. The Wizards’ season is over after Bradley Beal opted for wrist surgery. Could they look to sell off their assets?

– Kyle Kuzma ($13 million, Wizards)

Stats: 16.1 pts (45.6 FG%, 33.5 3P%), 8.7 rebs, 2.8 asts per game

Kuzma isn’t the same player that you loved to hate in Los Angeles while he was with the Lakers. He’s remade himself in Washington this season and has turned into a quality role player and capable defender.

– Alec Burks ($9.5 million, Knicks)

Stats: 11.1 pts (38.2 FG%, 38.8 3P%), 4.3 rebs, 2.5 asts per game

Burks can play both guard positions and isn’t regarded as an elite defender by any means. But he could bolster the Nuggets’ backcourt ahead of the playoffs.

– Torrey Craig ($4.8 million, Pacers)

Stats: 6.5 pts (45.6 FG%, 33.3 3P%), 3.8 rebs, 1.1 asts per game

You know the rap on Craig by now. He can be a helpful defender in spots, but that’s about all you’re getting. The familiarity with Craig would obviously matter to Denver too.

On the buyout market: Gary Harris ($20.4 million, Magic)

Stats: 11.7 pts (44.4 FG%, 38.8 3P%), 2.2 rebs, 1.9 asts per game

The Nuggets can’t trade for Harris, nor would they, but there’s chatter that he could be bought out following the deadline. I’d think Denver would be a potential suitor if the Nuggets maintain an open roster spot. Harris knows he’d get playing time under Malone. He’s also rediscovered his 3-point shot in Orlando this season.