J.J. Hickson Trade Rumors: Latest News, Speculation on Nuggets Center
The Denver Nuggets are reportedly looking to trade reserve center J.J. Hickson before the NBA's trade deadline on Feb. 18.
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Nuggets Actively Shopping Hickson on Trade Market
Sunday, Feb. 7
Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post reported the Nuggets have been shopping Hickson for about a month in hopes of finding a situation where he'd be a better overall fit.
The 27-year-old NC State product has appeared in only 20 games this season as Denver juggles a deep frontcourt. Dempsey noted the center hasn't enjoyed the reduced role and understands that could mean a trade is on the horizon, but he didn't want to provide much insight.
"I'll be all right," Hickson said.
He averaged 11.8 points and 9.2 rebounds while playing 26.9 minutes per game during the 2013-14 season, his first in Denver. His involvement has steadily decreased since that point, however, which is the reverse of what usually happens for a player in what should be his peak seasons.
But the Nuggets have a high volume of big men they are working into the rotation. It's a group that features Kenneth Faried, Nikola Jokic, Darrell Arthur, Jusuf Nurkic and Joffrey Lauvergne, which leaves extremely limited minutes for the veteran center.
In turn, it would make sense for both sides to find a solution through the trade market. The Nuggets probably won't get any major pieces in return—likely a depth guard or a late pick from a contender—but that could still equate to more value than Hickson over the long haul.
And Hickson deserves a chance to play more consistent minutes somewhere. He averaged a double-double during the 2012-13 season with the Portland Trail Blazers, so he's got talent that shouldn't be wasted watching full games from the sidelines.
