The Denver Nuggets rarely pop up in trade rumors, but there have been a few here-and-there. Will the Nuggets look to move any of their expiring contracts in Timofey Mozgov, Corey Brewer or Julyan Stone? What about Wilson Chandler? Could Andre Miller be on the move? What if another big trade comes the Nuggets way?
Latest around the league
With the Houston Rockets making a big splash last night to acquire Thomas Robinson from the Sacramento Kings, many now believe they have enough assets to make a serious run at Denver Stiffs reader TyLawesome’s favorite target: Josh Smith.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p>The Rockets, flush with assets, are involved at “high level” in Josh Smith talks, league source says.</p>— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) <a href=”https://twitter.com/KBergCBS/status/304593656944410624″>February 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p>But Houston has leverage: cap room this summer to land Smith as a free agent. Limits the assets they are willing to part with now.</p>— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) <a href=”https://twitter.com/KBergCBS/status/304593975405318144″>February 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p>Atlanta has to do the best possible deal for Smith. That could still be the Bucks in the East, but again, Hawks prefer to send him West.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href=”https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/304592772835463169″>February 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p>Considering Houston is, as I can confirm, engaged with Atl re: Josh Smith, pretty good indication Hawks not in love w/ deals elsewhere.</p>— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) <a href=”https://twitter.com/sam_amick/status/304599069240737793″>February 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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But the Milwaukee Bucks are also believed to be in play for Smith and that has one blogger worried. From Frank Madden over at Brew Hoop:
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p>Not sure what scares me more: 1) that Bucks might make highest bid for Smith today or 2) that they might be “allowed” to pay him $90m in Jul</p>— Frank Madden (@brewhoop) <a href=”https://twitter.com/brewhoop/status/304595243288915968″>February 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p>Don’t get me wrong, I totally get why Bucks would go after a talent like Smith. It’s big-game hunting and they want to add a dynamic talent.</p>— Frank Madden (@brewhoop) <a href=”https://twitter.com/brewhoop/status/304595562513170434″>February 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post squashed the rumors created by ESPN's Bill Simmons fake trade piece before-and-after last night's NBA games on the four-letter network:
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p>The Nuggets are NOT trading Iguodala for Gasol, I’ve been told. Put the rumors to rest.</p>— Benjamin Hochman (@nuggetsnews) <a href=”https://twitter.com/nuggetsnews/status/304416527938105344″>February 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Utah Jazz announcer David Locke has a little video podcast up discussing if the team will move Paul Millsap or Al Jefferson and tweeted this out:
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p>TIP OFF <a href=”http://t.co/4xo1babIn2″ title=”http://ow.ly/hUWZ2″>ow.ly/hUWZ2</a>Do Jazz make a deal?future salary implications and Randy Foye as the Daily Devar</p>— David Locke (@Lockedonsports) <a href=”https://twitter.com/Lockedonsports/status/304596415210983424″>February 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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As is the case on most trade deadline days – expect a lot of smaller deals. Teams are looking to move some smaller salaries around to avoid luxury tax penalties and create extra roster room.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p>Toronto has emerged as the frontrunner to land Suns guard Sebastian Telfair in a trade, league sources tell Y! Sports.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href=”https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/304597877580238848″>February 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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The latest on J.J. Redick:
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p>Orlando is still discussing deals for guard J.J. Redick, but league sources don’t rule out the Magic holding onto him for rest of season.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href=”https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/304459145069871105″>February 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Nuggets related tweets:
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p>Charlotte discussed Gerald Henderson for Timofey Mozgov (Denver) and J.J. Hickson (Portland) but talks gained no traction, sources tell Y!</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href=”https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/304383135414644736″>February 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p><a href=”https://twitter.com/search/%23Knicks“>#Knicks</a> inquired about 7-1 Timofey Mozgov but have better chance at their former center this summer as RFA <a href=”http://t.co/5dntpj1f” title=”http://nyp.st/VuTUX3″>nyp.st/VuTUX3</a></p>— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) <a href=”https://twitter.com/NYPost_Berman/status/304216179466182656″>February 20, 2013</a></blockquote>
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We'll have updates as things break today and as always, feel free to help us out and post what you can find below!
What will the Nuggets do?
My guess is the Nuggets stand pat. That’s the “easy way out” guesstimate, but I just don’t see a lot of deals out there for Denver. If the Nuggets do trade Mozgov today – that’s a big vote of confidence in Kosta Koufos, JaVale McGee, and Anthony Randolph.
I see Denver hanging onto Brewer and letting him test the free agency waters this summer. He has been vital for Denver off the bench this season and it's not in Masai Ujiri's track-record to let assets walk for nothing, but that's my hunch.
And finally: could we see another big time trade? JaVale McGee for Nene happened right at the deadline. Always expected the unexpected with Batman on the loose!