How the Denver Nuggets Could Acquire a Star: John Wall
Apr 24, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) reacts on the court against the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
With a few big-name players stuck on teams ranked lower than the Nuggets, fans have to wonder if Denver’s chances of landing a big trade are at a season-high.
The Denver Nuggets got their 8th win of the season again Philadelphia on Monday, putting their record at 8-13. With that win, the Nuggets had officially obtained a better ranking the Washington Wizards (7-13), the Sacramento Kings (7-13), and the New Orleans Pelicans (7-15), despite the fact that each of these teams has a genuine star on their roster in John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and Anthony Davis.
Now, the Nuggets are facing a series of series of winnable games, as 5 of their next 6 opponents have losing records. If things go well, Denver may find themselves rising further and further above the Kings, Pelicans, and Wizards. If not, then the team is still likely to produce a similar record.
If they can stay on top of these teams by at least a few wins, then the Denver Nuggets might have a legitimate chance at landing one of their stars.
Whether this winds up happening or not, their chances are currently at a season-high. So, we are going to take a look at what trades for John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and Anthony Davis might look like.
Jan 28, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) dribbles the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) and Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) defend in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Nuggets won 117-113. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Wizards get C, Jusuf Nurkic PF, Kenneth Faried SF, Wilson Chandler, SG, Gary Harris
ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine results: Nuggets -2 Wins, Wizards +1 Wins
The Nuggets would have to risk giving up more than the wizards if they want to land John Wall. To Nuggets fans, this offer may seem like not enough; but keep in mind, Denver’s disappointing start to the season as an organization may be hampering any hometown evaluations of the talent involved in this trade.
It is important to remember that both Wall and Morris have led their team to a record no better than Denver’s, so do not automatically assume that the grass is greener on the other side.
Believe in the trade machine, this trade would help Washington get wins.
Dec 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) makes a move to the basket past Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) during the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. Orlando Magic defeated Washington Wizards 124-116. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Why the Wizards would do it:
There are two major motivators for Washington. The first would be getting rid of Marcus Morris. A second boosting their chances of making the playoffs, fueled by rebounding. Also, they co
With this trade, the Wizards could play Chandler off the bench, where he has dominated so far this season, or start him alongside Bradley Beal and Otto Porter as either an SG or PF. Despite a tiny bit smaller than Morris, Wilson Chandler is currently averaging nearly 2 more rebounds per game. On top of that, he is also outscoring Morris by about 7 points per game, and doing so at 47% efficiency compared Morris’ 41%. Chandler could replace Morris entirely.
More from Nugg Love
More likely though, would be Kenneth Faried’s assertion into the starting PF spot, making Chandler their starting SG. Once Gary Harris returns to full health, he could be the team’s starting SG, though Chandler brings more to the table. Either way, this trade would likely hand the starting PG reins over to Bradley Beal, who plays some PG for the team already.
Washington would have the potential to ride a stacked starting 5 of Beal, Chandler, Porter, Faried, and Gortat for the rest of the season. Jusuf Nurkic would come off the bench, providing much needed relief for the Wizards, who have been overusing Gortat in the wake of center Ian Mahinmi’s injuries.
Kenneth Faried’s talent for chase-down shot blocking and nearly iconic tenacity on the offensive glass should not be overlooked, nor should Chandler’s ability to grab defensive rebounds and score effectively from anywhere on the court, on or off the dribble. This new starting 5 would be loaded.
That line-up could have enough firepower to turn the team around, and give Washington a better chance at a playoff push. They would definitely see a boost in rebounding, as Chandler, Faried, and Nurkic are solid contributors in that category. Washington would have to give up their star, but they could potentially acquire a super-team, one that would certainly make it into the top-8 in the East.
Mar 12, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) guards Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Why the Denver Nuggets would do it:
The Nuggets would have acquired their star, isn’t that the entire point of this article? With John Wall leading the team, Emmanuel Mudiay would become a bench force, which could easily help the young guard boost his efficiency and production, supplying an inherent and healthy boost of confidence.
nuggets
Nugg Love 6wDenver Nuggets: DFS Picks for the Season Opener against the Pelicans
More headlines around FanSided:
9w - Denver Nuggets Fantasy: Implications From Preseason Opener9w - Emmanuel Mudiay: Analyzing the Art of Passing12w - Denver Nuggets: Will Malik Beasley Sadly Only Get Insurance Minutes?12w - Top 5 Denver Nuggets with Any Fantasy Basketball Value15w - Denver Nuggets: There Is No Hope for DeMarcus Cousins Coming to DENMore News at Nugg Love
The Nuggets would be able to have their future back-court of Mudiay and Murray come off the bench together, dedicating the rest of their seasons to developing as a duo. They would both also have one heck of a mentor.
Denver would also acquire Marcus Morris who could very well find a fit in Denver. He could become their starter, though Denver wold be more likely to start seasoned Nugget Darrell Arthur at PF. Morris could replace Chandler as the Nuggets’ 6th man, which could improve his productivity.
Denver would be looking at a starting 5 of Wall, Barton, Gallinari, Morris or Arthur, and Jokic. Their second unit would be headed by the two headed beast of Mudiay and Murray. They would still have a roster filled with depth and versatility, so many of these rotational spots could interchange with ease. The Nuggets would also be able to toss Gary Harris into the deal, to sweeten it up a bit, without effecting the results of the Trade Machine, which seems like a minimal sacrifice now that Denver has acquired Jamal Murray.
Wall’s minutes would likely keep the minutes of both Mudiay and Murray to the low twenties at best. The upside tot this would be their increase in time playing together, which should account for the vast majority of their minutes if this trade did go down.
With Wall and Barton starting together for the next few seasons, Mudiay and Murray could then emerge as better prepped and more appropriately matured leaders for the Nuggets, and they would still be young. Even if Mudiay and Murray didn’t start together until the 2019-20 season (yes, 2020 is around the corner..) they would still be at the ripe ages of just 23 and 22 years old.
In giving up Jusuf Nurkic, the Nuggets could likely call Petr Coneli, one of their most recent draft picks, up to action to play with the young second unit.
Corneli showed some promise in the NBA Summer League, finishing with averages of 8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 24.6 min per game. The 7′ big man could actually make for a nice addition to Denver’s rotation, especially thanks to his shot-blocking ability. The Nuggets could use some length down low.
Regardless, with Wall’s instant leadership and the wonders that this deal could do for the development of a Mudiay and Murray back-court, the Nuggets would have little reason not to offer this trade before the deadline. At the very least, it would make Nuggets fans happy, as two of their front-running calls are for a star-landing trade, and further development of Jamal Murray.
This article originally appeared on 
