Report: Nuggets "open" to trading Will Barton ahead of deadline

It’s been reported that Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari can be had at Thursday’s trade deadline if the Nuggets receive a package that they think improves their situation as it currently stands right now.

Besides Chandler and Gallinari, Adrian Wojnarowski said Wednesday on The Vertical’s Facebook Live show that the Nuggets are open to dealing Will Barton as well.

“They have some players they’re open to trading; Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Will Barton, another role player. Teams are calling and Denver’s not afraid to get into the chase for big talent. We’ve seen them do it in the past. They tried to get involved with Blake Griffin in the past – the Clippers weren’t open to it. Don’t be surprised if Denver doesnt continue to try and get involved in a Jimmy Butler in a Pual George, try to get there. Now they probably dont have the assets to do it.

Barton, 26, is averaging 13.9 points on 44.6 percent shooting from the field, 38.1 percent from three and has been a pivotal spark off the bench for the Nuggets this season. He could be looked at by a contender as someone who can come off their bench and be that instant offense sort of weapon, but he’s valuable to the Nuggets in that role as well.

Barton’s contract, which pays him just $3.5 million this year and the same amount in 2018, makes him an ideal candidate to fit into a playoff team’s handy trade exception or salary cap wiggle room.

On the Chandler and Gallinari front, Wojnarowski reiterated Denver’s desire to receive draft pick compensation for either player.

“I was told that they’re not motivated to trade Chandler for a late first-round pick. If they can get something of real value for Chandler, I’d think they’d be open to doing it but if it’s going to be another mid-20’s pick, they’re not interested in that. They’d like to make the playoffs. They havn’t done it under Tim Connelly, the GM, under Michael Malone, the coach, but they’re still looking at this deadline as a chance to set themselves up long-term, not so much on the last several weeks of the season.”

Could Barton, Chandler, or Gallinari be involved in a bigger deal to bring in someone like Jimmy Butler or Paul George who could be available through tomorrow afternoon?

It’s doubtful, but the Nuggets will certainly be on one end of many conversations between now and Thursday at 3 PM EST.