Roundtable: Should the Nuggets be buyers or sellers this trade season?

The NBA Trade Deadline is just over one month away. Should the Nuggets be buyers or sellers ahead of Feb. 11? What type of player should the Nuggets target in a potential deal? DNVR Nuggets discusses the trade market and looks ahead to Denver’s upcoming six-game homestand.

Should the Nuggets be buyers or sellers this trade season?

(And what’s the Nuggets biggest position/role of need)

Adam: I don’t really see them being much of either but if pressed to pick one I would say buyers. There are things this team needs (perimeter defense, shooting, a backup center) and there are things this team has a redundancy of (power forwards). So looking to add a shut-down guard with length would be a priority for me.

Harrison: The Nuggets should be buyers, but not as big of buyers as they were last season when Denver traded a future first-round pick and prized prospect RJ Hampton for Aaron Gordon. Look, Denver doesn’t really know what Jamal Murray or Michael Porter Jr. could give them late this season if one or both of them even return. I don’t think it’s worth it for Denver to go all-in on a deal where they surrender future draft assets or a young prospect (Bones Hyland). In a potential deal, Denver will be looking for either a defensively-capable wing or a backup center. Those are clearly the Nuggets’ two biggest needs.

Brendan: They’re not in a position to be much of either, considering the lack of assets. Two max guys are injured, Nikola Jokić is untouchable, and their few young assets, Bones Hyland and Zeke Nnaji, are probably more highly valued in Denver than teams around the league. Will Barton is an option, but if his uninspired play inspires that decision, consider that other teams have noticed the same thing. I don’t love the idea of a significant shakeup or chasing after what’s seemingly lost this season. I favor shaking up the end of the bench if possible. A true center in place of JaMychal Green could go a long way.

Denver’s season-long six-game homestand starts on Jan. 13. How many games do the Nuggets need to win to make it a successful homestand?

Adam: It’s not the easiest 6-game homestand. The only two gimmes are the Blazers and Pistons. The Lakers and Clippers have been shorthanded so those games are a bit of a mystery The Jazz and Grizzlies games will be tough, especially the Jazz game which will have Denver playing on the second night of a back-to-back.  That being said, if the Nuggets want to climb back into the conversation for a top-5 seed out West, they need to make their move during this homestand. 4-2 is par. 5-1 would be great. 3-3 would be a disappointment.

Harrison: Looking at Denver’s opponents during that homestand — Blazers, Lakers, Jazz, Clippers, Grizzlies, Pistons — there are only two teams that I feel really good about Denver beating: the Blazers and Pistons. The other four opponents are toss-ups. The Lakers and Clippers are straddling the Nuggets in the standings right now, so those two games will be important. So will Denver’s matchup with Memphis if the Nuggets have any hope of climbing into the fourth seed and getting homecourt advantage in the first round. Four wins in those six games would be a success.

Brendan: At least four. They’ve dropped too many bad games at home, and it’s time to get some back. If the brutal schedule is partly to blame for this .500 start, they’ve got to capitalize on this upcoming stretch.

With Jeff Green and Zeke Nnaji returning, the Nuggets are as healthy as they’ve been in weeks. What’s one lineup you’d want to see on the floor together tonight vs. the Kings?

Adam: Monte-Barton-Green-Gordon-Jokic

There’s no need to get cute with this answer. They have a +7.9 net rating in 251 minutes this season. It’s a good lineup and I am excited to see it back on the court.

Harrison: Hyland-Reed-Bol-Gordon-Jokic

This lineup, except with Vlatko Cancar in place of Aaron Gordon, played three minutes against the Mavs and outscored Dallas 16-8 back on Jan. 3. It was the only time that lineup had played together this season. I want to see more of it. With Cancar sidelined, slide Gordon into one of the forward slots and see what happens.

Brendan: Morris-Reed-Gordon-Green-Jokic

Barton’s defense is bottoming out. I’m not in favor of benching him as we haven’t seen Barton play particularly well with the second unit, but should Reed be the first off the bench in his stead or close the game, those minutes could go well for Denver. They have before.