National Basketball Association

14 Trades Involving Kenneth Faried and a Western Conference Team

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Mar 14, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) dunks the ball past Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (9) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Last week, we looked at Denver Nuggets/Kenneth Faried trade options throughout the Eastern Conference. Now, we look West.

If you missed it, the article in which we broke down viable trade options for Kenneth Faried and Eastern Conference teams can be found here.

In that parent article, we began by first analyzing Faried’s worth as a player, and what he could bring to a team. Since that has already been established, we’re going to get right into things, and analyze the most viable trade options between the Denver Nuggets and Western Conference team, all involving Kenneth Faried.

Let’s remember the rules to these trade options:

Next: Start Western Conference trade options: Dallas Mavericks

Feb 26, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) grabs a rebound as Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) and guard Wesley Matthews (23) defend during the game at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Mavericks

Trade Machine Results: Nuggets Unaffected, Mavericks + 2 wins

These results suggest that the Mavericks would come out on top of this deal. However, the Nuggets would probably take it in a heartbeat, as it would boost the firepower of their starting 5, and give their young players a chance to exhale a bit.

Why the Mavericks would do it:

With Dirk Nowitzki nearing the end of his career, the Mavericks will soon be thin at the PF position. Acquiring Faried for his rebounding, blocks, and second chance points could be a smart move. According to the Trade Machine, his presence would make a positive immediate impact. It seems safe to assume then, that he could be a valuable piece for the Mavericks moving forward. Its easy to picture Faried as their 6th man, supplying a spark of unpredictability for defenses to deal with.

The Mavs would lose their starting SG in Matthews, but they could turn the position into one that boosts the scoring of their veteran players with tough and intelligent play. The Trade Machine suggests that sacrificing Matthews’ abilities for Faried’s would be worth it. Apparently, he would bring more to the team than they would be giving in this deal.

Why the Nuggets would do it:

The Nuggets would get the reliable three-point threat that they need. This would give their rookies more time to develop their professional careers. Moreover, this would especially affect rookie Jamal Murray. With Matthews in the starting spot, Murray’s projected minutes would take a hit, but an immense amount of pressure would also be lifted from his shoulders.

Gary Harris would also get a chance to exhale, and would likely log 20+ minutes off the bench at SG. With alleviated pressure, more time to develop chemistry, and less on-court pressure, Harris and Murray would be able to form a solid and co-dependent confidence. This could turn them into a casually dominant back-court bench duo.

This deal would also land the Nuggets a second mentor for their young guards in J.J. Barea. On top of that, Barea is plenty capable of putting up solid numbers in assists and three-pointers. He also makes for a more offensively threatening low-minute bench option than either Toupane or Sampson.

This deal would likely give an intimidate boost to both teams.

January 2, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) fights for a rebound against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23), guard Shaun Livingston (34), and guard Klay Thompson (11) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Nuggets 111-108 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors

Trade Machine Results: Nuggets -1 Wins, Warriors Unaffected

Fans might expect more dramatic results from this proposed trade. The Trade Machine counters this, suggesting a surprising balance to the proposition.

Why the Warriors would do it:

Steph Curry’s contract is up after this coming season. He will be due for an enormous pay raise. With the addition of Kevin Durant, the Warriors simply will not be able to afford keeping all of their starters. Trading away Klay Thompson is probably their best option, as Steph Curry and Draymond Green are simply too valuable.

Thompson is a star, undoubtedly; but, his presence among the rest of the Warriors’ stars is the least crucial. Trading him away for Gary Harris would open up a lot of cap room. Logically, this would mean giving Curry the pay-raise he deserves. They would save roughly $15 million in cap space.

More from Nugg Love

This trade would also give them a solid replacement for Thompson. Sure, Harris lacks the dead-eye three-point abilities, but he does carry a focus on defensive pressure, and holds similar fundamental reliability. Plus, all players seem to become three-point gods once they join the Warriors, so why should Harris be any different? He has become a closely watched prospect as of late, and the Warriors would likely be happy to have him moving forward.

Harris has played well against the Warriors in the past, and they likely have a respect for his game. They might not mind this trade at all, actually. Yes, they would lose a reliable bench scorer in Livingston, but they would also acquire Jameer Nelson, whose veteran experience and relevant passing abilities could replace Livingston’s scoring with assists. Plus, for some reason, Nelson seems like he would look really good in a Warriors Jersey.

Kenneth Faried would be an excellent addition to their second unit. Most likely, he would come off the bench to replace Draymond Green. Green loves logging heavy minutes, and Faried thrives on short bursts of furious energy. They could make for an incredibly complimentary rotation at the PF position, leaving the Warriors even stronger than they already seem.

Why the Nuggets would do it:

They would have Klay Thompson on their team. Star acquired. Mission accomplished.

As if that isn’t enough, Livingston would be a great addition to any NBA bench, as would Igoudala. Igoudala could even start, giving the Nuggets a seriously threatening small-ball lineup of Mudiay, Thompson, Gallinari, Igoudala, and Jokic.

Their bench would be filled with talent, with Livingston, Barton, Chandler, Arthur, and Nurkic, likely making up the second unit. Additionally, Nuggets rookies would get more time to transition into the NBA. They would also now have an incredible role model/mentor in Klay Thompson. This deal could transform the Nuggets into a considerable playoff threat overnight.

Dec 13, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Donatas Motiejunas (20) attempts to control the ball during the second quarter as Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) defends at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Rockets

Denver Nuggets get Sign PF/C, Donatas Motiejunas

Houston Rockets get In Harden We Trust

Trade Machine Results: NA

Why the Rockets would do it:

They have no choice! The Rockets have virtually no cap space at all. Also, practically every player is off-limits for trading. The will not be able to re-sign free-agent PF, Donatas Montiejunas, or make any possible trade for Kenneth Faried. They are locked in for the 2016-17 season.

Why the Nuggets would do it:

Montiejunas has a huge upside. His game is pretty similar to Jokic’s. He can shoot threes, post up, rebound, pass, and hit free-throws regularly. I am honestly surprised that the Nuggets haven’t signed him yet, as they could certainly afford him, and he is the type of experienced and floor-spreading big-man that they need. Pick him up!

Dec 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) reacts while being restrained by Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 109-106. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

LA Clippers

Trade Machine Results: Nuggets -1 Wins, Clippers +2 Wins

Initial reactions to this proposition are likely to fall in Denver’s favor. However, the Trade Machine suggests otherwise, with the Clippers coming out on top.

Why the Clippers would do it:

Their cap space is of the tightest in the NBA, and this deal would save them about $2 million. They would be giving up an All-Star in Jordan, and their best shooter in Reddick, which seems unrealistic. But still, the acquisition of Faried and Gallinari would apparently be worth it.

Blake Griffin is perfectly capable of playing center. He could even excel at the position, as drawing fouls has become a big part of his game. A big-three of Paul, Gallinari, and Griffin would mean a far more versatile offense for the Clippers. As far as regular season statistics, their offensive production has been excellent over recent years. In seven game series, though, they have struggled to maintain their consistency.

Redick is simply too easy to shut down, and Jordan offers little-to-no offensive options. He was actually a bit of a liability for the Clippers, especially in playoff-games, particularly due to his poor shooting ability. Sacrificing Jordan’s defensive presence for an offense with three players all capable of scoring 20+ points per-game would be worth it, according to the Trade Machine.

They would have either Crawford or Rivers to absorb the starting SG spot. Additionally, they could have Faried either starting, or coming off the bench as an unpredictable PF capable of making up for Jordan’s rebounding in short bursts. Faried is also known for his high-flying finishes, which could make him fit it very well into “Lob City”.

While Denver seems more ambitious, LA does not seem likely to consider trading away any of their starters. This could haunt them, as their cap space is nonexistent. If they are to make anything special happen with their current lineup, it needs to happen this coming season.

Why the Nuggets would do it:

They would have the shooter they need in Redick, and the star that they crave in Jordan. Jordan’s presence would likely bump Jokic to PF, where he could apply his skills with probable success.

Losing Gallinari would be a tough decision to make, but it may be necessary. Redick wouldn’t be able to match Gallinari’s regular scoring ability, but he is a more reliable three-point option. The Nuggets missed far too many open looks last year, and Redick’s presence would help put an end to that. Additionally, Brandon Bass would make for a solid low-minute bench PF essentially capable of replacing Faried.

A front-court of Jokic and Jordan would be very dangerous. Jokic can spread the floor, and Jordan would supply the consistent paint-defense that has also eluded the Nuggets in recent seasons. The Trade Machine suggest that the Nuggets would losing more than they gain in this deal, but fans will probably think otherwise.

It seems more likely that this trade would wind up favoring the Nuggets, but we will probably never know.

Mar 2, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) guards Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

LA Lakers

Trade Machine Results: Nuggets +2 Wins, Lakers Unaffected

The Trade Machine says that neither team would suffer from this trade. While it favors the Nuggets, the Lakers could benefit as well.

Why the Lakers would do it:

D’Angelo Russell caused some team-chemistry issues last year, and Jordan Clarkson is simply playing better. If this trade went down, the Lakers would reform their team around Clarkson. He has proven himself worthy of the starting position, and usually out-performs Russel on a regular basis. With Clarkson running the point, Harris at SG, Deng at SF, Faried at PF, and Mozgov at C, the Lakers would be looking at more classically structured starting 5 than what they have now.

Their acquisition of Mozgov and Deng shows that the Lakers want a team that can compete now rather than later. This trade would follow that mold, giving them a more experienced starting 5. It would be hard to part with Russel, but their record would probably not suffer at all.

This move might not be the smartest for LA. But they did just sign Mozgov and Deng to massive contracts, so…

Why the Nuggets would do it:

Emmanuel Mudiay and D’Angelo Russell have formed quite a rivalry. Seeing them join forces would be very interesting. With his shooting ability, Russel would probably make a better SG than Mudiay. He would likely get the starting spot in Harris’ absence. This would leave the Nuggets with three first-round guards in Mudiay, Russell, and Murray. Who knows what that could develop into. It certainly sounds exciting.

Adding Randle to the squad would likely give Darrell Arthur the immediate start. Taking a spot in the starting 5 would not be out of reach for Randle though. His abilities are similar to Arthur’s, all with better size. His only weakness is inexperience. It’s not hard to imagine a relationship forming between Randle and Nuggets Coach Mike Malone. If Randle can prove himself as a consistent player, he could very likely grab the starting spot.

The Nuggets would also have Lou Williams coming off the bench. He can drive and finish, but lives for free-throws and the three-ball. The Nuggets have struggled with free throws and three-balls recently, making Williams look like a good fit. Also, last season he had a 44 point game. Enough said.

Mar 30, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) talk during the second half at FedExForum. Denver Nuggets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 102-89. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis Grizzlies

Trade Machine Results: Nuggets Unaffected, Grizzlies +1 Wins

The Trade Machine suggests that acquiring Faried would help the Grizzlies’ record. This result may surprise some, but even more surprising is the lack of effect for the Nuggets. This trade should help them out greatly.

Why the Grizzlies would do it:

Apparently, it would be a smart move. Faried could come off the bench, supplying his energy as a spark, capable of igniting at any moment. He might also fit into their starting rotation. The Grizzlies would have a lot of options as far as line-ups go.

Even though they would lose part of their backbone in Randolph, and defensive tenacity in Allen, the would still, apparently, be better off after this trade went down. They would have depth and unpredictability on their side.

Additionally, both players have just one year before their contracts expire. The Grizzlies will probably ride that out. However, giving them up now could give the team a better look. Also, it would open up a little breathing room in cap space.

Why the Nuggets would do it:

Zach Randolph would be an incredible mentor for Jokic, Nurkic, and Jernangomez. He has a well-rounded game that could mean a lot for the development of these young Nuggets. He also has plenty of on-court production left in him.

Randolph can spread the floor, and prefers to go to work from the elbow. This could open up the Nuggets’ offensive options. They’d get better looks. Moreover, they would have the rebounding, shot-blocking, and scoring abilities of Faried matched, if not improved upon. Randolph’s only issue is injury. At his age, injury is always a legitimate concern. If he could play 55 games or more, it would almost certainly help the Nuggets. This is should be doable for Randolph.

Tony Allen would also be a great addition. His tenacious defense at the guard position would be great for Mudiay, Murray, and Harris. Allen’s defensive effort could spread like wildfire, inspiring the young to up their game, and giving coach Malone tears of joy. Additionally, his presence at practice could also help their offensive games, as they would regularly be matched up against one of the best. He, like Randolph is perfectly capable of on-court production, and might even deserve a starting spot. The Nuggets would have options.

They Nuggets would probably be in better shape than the Trade Machine suggests.

Mar 4, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic (14) attempts to drive around Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Timberwolves

Trade Machine Results: Nuggets +1 Wins, Timberwolves +1 Wins

The Trade Machine sees this proposition as mutually beneficial. Fans will probably agree.

Why the Timberwolves would do it:

The TImberwolves have an excess of centers. Trading away Pekovic would barely have any impact on their match-ups. Adding Faried would supply a relatively young PF capable of explosive games. His threat as a double-double producer makes him a nice addition to the team. As a team that loves to shoot, the Timberwolves could benefit greatly from Faried’s second chance opportunities.

Dec 15, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) shoots the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) defends in the second half at Target Center. The Nuggets won 112-100. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Ricky Rubio just hasn’t performed at the level that the Timberwolves expected. For the T-wolves, trading Rubio for Nelson would essentially be a wash. In theory, Rubio should have more production left in him. But, lately, he hasn’t really done much to prove this. Rubio is their highest salaried player, so you’d expect him to be one of their top producers. But he isn’t, and the T-wolves would likely bite on this trade in a heartbeat.

Zach Lavine improved greatly in his two NBA seasons, and seems ready for the starting PG spot. Their young core is quickly gaining a following. The Timberwolves seem ready to let their young guys run the show. This trade would compliment that notion.

Why the Nuggets would do it:

Acquiring Pekovic would likely put him in their starting 5. Jokic would bump to PF, and the Nuggets would have the defensive backbone that they need. Pekovic is capable of huge double-doubles, and contributes consistently when he can avoid injury. He should be able to match Faried’s minutes and production.

His presence would increase the overall size of the Nuggets’ starting 5. This would mean harder shots for opposing teams, and more defensive rebounds for the Nuggets. Pekovic could also be a great role model for Jusuf Nukic to learn from. He would likely split the C minutes with Pekovic, and match-up with him at practices.

Ricky Rubio would be an excellent mentor for Mudiay and Murray. His passing ability is unquestioned, and this is exactly where his value comes into play. With Rubio coming off the bench, Murray would be allowed to play as a scorer. This is how he played in college, and excelled. Also, Rubio is also a solid three-point shooter. His passing and shooting abilities, and veteran status, make him ideal for the Nuggets. His salary would be going to much better use in Denver.

This trade should be considered.

Mar 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the overtime of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Nuggets defeated the Pelicans 118-111 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Pelicans

Trade Machine Results: Nuggets +2 Wins, Pelicans Unaffected

This trade would give the Nuggets a significant immediate boost. For the Pelicans, this trade would payoff in the future, without hurting their chances in this coming season.

Why the Pelicans would do it:

Anthony Davis seems like the one thing keeping the Pelicans afloat. However, he may actually be holding the team back. His salary is quite high, and building around him has left the team rather stunted. If they were to consider this trade, it would be for the sake of the organization’s future.

This trade would probably help the Pelican’s get more wins. It certainly shouldn’t hurt their record. But, even with this as an accepted truth, there would certainly be backlash from fans. Anthony Davis is a star, and giving him up would take some guts. Still, adding three quality players to their line-up, for less money, might be the smarter move.

Their immediate offense would switch towards operating around Holiday and Gallinari. Harris should retain his status as a starter, as he has shown great improvement, and brings a versatility that the Pelicans need. Faried would need to step up his game, as the starting PF spot would probably be his, and with big shoes to fill. Although, there would be the option to have Faried come off the bench. With CJ Miles and Danilo Gallinari, the Pelicans could make a run at some small ball.

Essentially, this trade would diversify the Pelican’s offense. As it stands, they pretty much rely 100% on Anthony Davis every single night. And even though his stats are incredible, they haven’t translated into wins for the team. Tyreke Evans is solid, but he simply does not perform to the level of his salary. Harris could be a huge part of their future, and Gallinari should be able to hold the team together for now. Plus, Holiday, Harris, and Gallinari sounds like a good fit.

Also, this deal would save them about $7 million in cap space. This could be used to add another significant weapon to the team. The organization would have a lot to consider in this proposal. They would need to weigh understandable backlash against logic-based strides towards improvement.

Why the Nuggets would do it:

They would have Anthony Davis! His incredible stats may have been a bust for New Orleans, but they could launch Denver into playoff talks. Losing Gallinari would be rough, but the Nuggets do have a second starting SF on retainer in Wilson Chandler.

Harris for Evans seems like a wash for Denver. Evans brings a similarly defensive-minded presence to the SG position with more experience and finesse. However, his full potential seems to be reached, where Harris is continuing to improve. Still, as a team with so much youth, some fully reached-potential could be refreshing. Plus, they would still have headlining prospects in Mudiay and Murray.

Imagining a Denver starting 5 of Mudiay, Evans, Chandler, Davis, and Jokic is exciting. The Nuggets, Cunningham could make for a third floor-spreading PF behind Davis and Arthur, and the Nuggets would be in great shape.

They would lose some reliability from beyond the arch. But, they never really had much three-point reliability anyways, so who cares? At the very worst, they would be a jacked-up version of last season’s Nuggets, who did pretty well considering their circumstances. Although, they would now have three floor-spreading power forwards. This would make everything run more smoothly. Oh, and did I mention Anthony Davis?

Dec 1, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) defends against Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter (0) during the second half at EnergySolutions Arena. The Nuggets won 103-101. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder

Trade Machine Results: Nuggets +2 Wins, Thunder Unaffected

This trade would give two solid offensive weapons to the Nuggets. On the Thunder’s side, while they aren’t projected to come out better from this trade, they would still be in good shape.

Why the Thunder would do it:

Having a Westbrook and Oladipo back-court could backfire for OCK. While they would be certainly be a threatening duo, the odds of their leading OKC to a conference title seems slim. Yes, swapping Oladipo for Harris might not change that. But, it would open up a good amount of cap space. Plus, according to the trade machine, it wouldn’t hurt their immediate chances.

nuggets

Nugg Love 1 wDeAndre Jordan to Denver: Proposing a Griffin-less DNuggets Trade

More headlines around FanSided:

1 w - Denver Nuggets: A Mix Of Something Old And Something New 1 w - Denver Nuggets: Which Nugget Would Make UFC 202?1 w - Denver Nuggets: Is Nate Wolters Signing Just a Camp Invite?1 w - Rio Olympics: Jokic, Serbia advance to gold-medal game 1 w - Brooklyn Nets: Sean Kilpatrick's Rocky Road in the NBAMore News at Nugg Love

So, this trade would land them Harris, a solid and very affordable SG to move forward with, and could also open up enough room to add another significant player to their squad. Giving up Kanter could leave the Thunder a bit thin at the center position, but they just acquired Joffrey Lauvergne, and would still have Steven Adams. With Kanter usually coming off their bench, his salary of over $17 million a year seems wasted.

The Thunder are also painfully thin at the PF spot. So, logically, adding Faried would be a smart move. He could come off the bench, or split the starting spot with Esran Ilyasova however their coaches see fit. Either way, the Thunder would be spending their money with more intelligence than they currently are.

This trade could payoff with much more success than the Trade Machine suggests.

Why the Nuggets would do it:

The Nuggets would likely give Kanter the starting center spot. This would make Nikola Jokic their PF, which makes sense. This is mostly because Jokic has less strength but better shooting abilities than Kanter. In today’s league, a shooting PF seems more valuable than a robust one. The Nuggets would have both a PF and C capable of spreading the floor. With Mudiay running the point, this has become crucial.

The Nuggets would also see a bit of an upgrade at their SG spot. Victor Oladipo can create off the dribble, shoot threes, and create assists. His addition would help Mudiay see more penetrating opportunities. Moreover, his three-point prowess over Harris would make help-defenders less likely to swarm.

Still, giving up Gary wouldn’t be easy as he continues to get better, and shows a great upside. Regardless, this deal would be great for the Nuggets, and would put their cap space to good use. A starting 5 of Mudiay, Oladipo, Gallinari, Jokic, and Kanter could certainly hold their own in the conference.

Feb 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) shoots the ball during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Suns won 110-96. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Phoenix Suns

Denver Nuggets get PG, Eric Bledsoe

Trade Machine Results: Nuggets +4 Wins, Phoenix Unaffected

The Suns have an excess of guards, and need players for their front-court. The Trade Machine suggests that this deal would land them their necessary pieces at no cost. On the Nuggets side, this deal projects a big time payoff.

Why the Suns would do it:

They are wasting money on Eric Bledsoe. Having him and Brandon Knight on the same team has been a fun experiment, but it has also been a huge bust. The Suns have more than enough talent at the guard position to make up for Bledsoe’s absence. They might not even notice that he’s gone! With that in mind, spending $14 million a year on Bledsoe seems rather pointless.

Faried could join their starting five, and give them more three-point opportunities. Teams often get great wide-open looks from beyond thanks to offensive rebounds. Fortunately, the offensive board is a specialty of Faried’s. His style of play could fit in quite well with the Suns, as they love to run a fast-paced offense.

The would also gain Malik Beasley, a high flying rookie SG with a huge upside. His game seems similar to that of Andrew Wiggins‘, and we all know how he turned out. The Suns would stand little to lose, and a decent amount to gain. Their team would have a clearer sense of direction, and a more complete roster.

Why the Nuggets would do it:

They would be adding a serious offensive weapon to their roster. Having Bledsoe as their starting SG would undoubtadly mean a more productive offense. He does have less size and defensive accountability than Harris. However, Harris is a somewhat undersized SG already, and Mudiay is an over-sized PG.

The fact is that Bledsoe can nail threes, drive to the basket, hit free throws, make assists, and rebound. He is a fantastic player and the Nuggets would be lucky to have him. As it stands, the Suns are lucky to have him, but his presence seems wasted. I’d be curious to see how his skills would play out as a Nugget. It could lead to a new peak in his NBA career.

Dec 30, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

Portland Trailblazers

Trade Machine Results: Nuggets Unaffected, Trailblazers +1 Wins

The Trade Machine suggests that this deal favors the Trailblazers. However, it also suggests balance, which could pay off for both teams.

Why the Trailblazers would do it:

The Trailblazers have suffered recently in bench-play. The acquisition of Sampson and Toupane would give them more depth, and therefore more bench-options. They may not be able to eliminate Portland’s woes all together, but they should be able to help.

Swapping out Faried for Davis would give Portland a slight edge. The two power forwards have a very similar game. However, Faried has more experience, reliability, and productive potential. Giving up Aminu would abandon their current small-ball line-up. Still, they could easily adapt it to involve Faried. Aminu has never been a dead-eye shooter, and contributed best when he was grabbing rebounds. This is where Faried could help improve upon Aminu’s play in Portland’s 4-spot.

This would be a low-risk trade that could help the team out. After last year’s playoff run, this trade could even make them a contender for the conference title. This isn’t likely, but the trade should still be considered.

Why the Nuggets would do it:

The Nuggets could use Aminu they same way that Portland did. Going small-ball with Arthur and Aminu splitting the PF spot could work out well for the Nuggets. The floor would be spread, and Emmanuel Mudiay would have more space to work with.

Then, incase Faried’s play was missed, Ed Davis would be acquired as a safety net. He is pretty much capable of replacing Faried at a fraction of the cost. For the Nuggets, this would allow Aminu’s signing to barely hamper their cap-space at all.

Like the Trailblazers, this would be a very low-risk trade for the Nuggets. They too could benefit from its consideration.

Nov 3, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) guards Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Kings won 110-105. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Sacramento Kings

Trade Machine Results: Nuggets -1 Wins, Kings -1 Wins

This trade would apparently hurt both teams slightly. This may very well be the case, but it is not a certainty.

Why the Kings would do it:

They are simply paying Rudy Gay way too much for his unreliable play. They could replace his with Kenneth Faried’s! All jokes aside, the addition of Faried would bring more rebounding and second-chance looks to Boogie Cousins’ squad, all at a lower salary than Rudy Gay’s.

Interestingly, the Trade Machine values Faried’s presence as higher than Gay’s. Due to this, the swap of Cauley-Stein for Nurkic was thrown in, for balance. The Kings seem excited about their young big-man, and aren’t likely to give him up. Plus, they seem to have a lot of faith left in Gay, and don’t seem interested in talking trades with the Nuggets at all.

This trade is very unlikely to happen.

Why the Nuggets would do it:

The Nuggets could make a small-ball PF out of Gay. He is capable of hitting threes, and would certainly spread the floor. A big-three of Galinari, Gay, and Jokic could be dangerous. It wouldn’t put them into playoff talks, but it could certainly boost their performance as a team.

Acquiring Cauley-Steing for Nurkic, as their bench C, would mean sacrificing some potential for proven ability. Even still, Cauley-Stein has plenty of potential to explore. He may even evolve into one of the league’s leading big-men. Healthy competition could erupt between him and Nikola Jokic, which almost always makes both players better.

While the Trade Machine suggests a negative balance in this trade, it seems like the Nuggets could come out slightly more poised for success.

Nov 12, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) is fouled by Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Trail Blazers won 130-113. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

San Antonio Spurs

Denver Nuggets get PF, LaMarcus Aldridge

Trade Machine Results: Nuggets -1 Wins, Spurs Unaffected

Let’s be honest, these teams will not be trading any time soon. With that in mind, the Trade Machine was played around with, and the best option wound up sending Aldridge to Denver.

Why the Spurs would do it:

They wouldn’t. The Spurs are all about fundamentals. Not only does Aldridge define a fundamentally sound PF, but Faried comes in as anything but. His free-throw shortcomings alone make him unwanted in San Antonio.

They would likely be more interested in developing Jusuf Nurkic, but even that would not be nearly enough to shake them off Aldridge. He is simply too good a fit. On paper at least.

Why the Nuggets would do it:

They’d have LaMarcus Aldridge.

Need I say more?

Feb 3, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) defends against Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) during the first quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Utah Jazz

Denver Nuggets get PF, Derrick Favors

Utah Jazz get PF, Kenneth Faried

Trade Machine Results: Nuggets +1 Wins, Jazz Unaffected

According to the Trade Machine, this clean-swap of power forwards would help the Nuggets slightly, without causing any harm to the Jazz. The projected balance of this trade may surprise fans, but it really shouldn’t.

Why the Jazz would do it:

They might be looking for something different. The Trade Machine says that swapping Faried into their line-up wouldn’t hurt them at all. Plus, anyone who knows Faried understands what he is capable of. It is possible that the Jazz have the secret which unlock’s Faried’s full potential.

The Manimal has put up some huge games in the past, and could very well turn into a more complete PF in Utah. Again, this would be in the spirit of trying a new look for the team’s 4-spot. With a better team than last season’s record suggests, the Jazz may be looking for some change, or not. Either way, they would stand little to lose.

Why the Nuggets would do it:

For many of the same reasons as the Jazz. Both players have salaries around $12 million, and each bring similar stats to the table. However, Favors is slightly more capable of spreading the floor. Although, he too is not known for his shooting ability. Favors has also struggled to play with consistency, much like Faried.

Essentially, this trade would offer a fresh start to both players and teams. Favors would get a chance to reset, now as a Nugget. Hopefully, this could send his career towards meeting the mark that fans await. The same goes for Kenneth Faried.

This trade would be a coin flip. But with both teams a bit unsatisfied with their starting power forwards, some change could do them well.

Mar 30, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) passes the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Chris Andersen (7) during the second half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Shopping Faried in the West opens up a good amount of mutually beneficial, and surprisingly well-rounded trade options.

Teams still seem hesitant to talk trades for Faried. But, if one did, it seems likely to come from the West. Compared to the Eastern Conference Faried-trade options, the West looks surprisingly promising. If any one of these trades were to go down, the Nuggets would be, at the very least, looking at a fresh start at their PF position. In many cases, they would come out a better team. In a few, they could even become legitimate playoff threats!

Even after all of that, the most promising aspect of this analysis is that no Western team would really suffer from any of these trades, other than maybe the Spurs, who were actually projected to be unaffected after trading LaMarcus Aldridge for Kenneth Faried.

Nuggets fans should keep their finger’s crossed, as any one of these trades could boost their team’s success. And if no trade goes down, we can all await another season from the Manimal in Denver, one that will hopefully show a break out in production and reliability.

A fan can dream.

This article originally appeared on