Report: Celtics have not inquired about Gallinari; Phoenix an option for Faried

According to the Denver Post’s Chris Dempsey, the Denver Nuggets are still actively pursuing trade options mere hours from the start of the 2016 NBA Draft. In particular, two veteran Nuggets seem to be drawing the most interest from potential trade partners as Nuggets’ General Manager Tim Connelly tries to make a move to add talent to a roster already stocked full with developing players.

Forwards Kenneth Faried and Danilo Gallinari appear to be the most frequently discussed players on Denver’s roster.

The Nuggets, Dempsey writes, could be looking to trade up from the No. 7 overall selection to acquire the shooter that they need to fill out their roster. Denver finished last season ranked No. 26 in team 3-point shooting percentage, and No. 21 in overall field goal percentage.

Both Kentucky’s Jamal Murray and Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield could be the shooter the Nuggets are after. However, at No. 7, there’s far from a guarantee that Denver would be able to grab either prospect, who could both find themselves taken in the top 5.

If the Nuggets  were to move up, however, they may be able to nab one of the top two shooters in this class.

Potential trade partners for Denver include the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns, who hold the No. 3 and No. 4 picks respectively. In order to move up into the top five, the Nuggets would likely have to give up a veteran talent.

Gallinari has been mentioned as a target for Boston in the past. However, according to Dempsey, as of the morning of draft day, the Celtics have yet to inquire about the 27-year-old oft injured small forward.

Faried, who was also mentioned as a potential trade target for the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, could also be an option for Phoenix, according to Dempsey.

The 26-year-old power forward seemed to be an odd fit in new head coach Michael Malone’s system last season and is considered the most likely trade option for Denver as the team heads into the draft this evening, which will officially begin at 6 pm MDT.