The only trade by the Denver Nuggets was acquring Sonny Weems, which puzzles me because, I see him as just another J.R. Smith.
So I have thought of several ways Denver can still snag a first round drafted player; how?
Through free agency or trades.
While countless, of NBA GM's fall in love with the idea of the future face of the franchise, others don't, and will either make an atttempt to trade the pick or simply not sign them.
With that in mind, here are some of the most notable unsigned draft picks:
Reyshawn Terry: A former UNC standout who was selected in the 2nd round of the 2007 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic and was later signed by the Dallas Mavericks.
Marc Gasol: Drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2007 NBA Draft, was later signed by the Grizzlies.
He is also Pau Gasol's brother, and has been working on his game the Memphis Grizzlies plan to bring him into the NBA next season from overseas. Scouts expect him to be a major force at the forward position.
Rudy Fernandez: A very productive guard in Spain who was taken by the Phoenix Suns with the 24th pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, but later signed with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Tiago Splitter: A dominant big man in Argentina, he was drafted by the Spurs with the 28th pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, but because of contract disagreements with San Antonio, decided to sign a extension stay in Argentina through 2012.
While it is unlikely, that every team will want to part ways with their new draftees, there are several that will.
Next year, The Nuggets have 2 1st round draft picks, and 1 in the 2nd round, for a total of three.
Teams in a rebuilding phase such as the New Jersey Nets, Miami Heat, Memphus Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls, could use any of those picks to select a big man next year; Patrick Patterson, Blake Grifffin, Jordan Hill, Tyler Hansbrough.
Or teams looking for a point guard, Cleveland, San Antonio, New York, Los Angeles, would highly value a point guard in the upcoming 2009 NBA Draft.
While we all know the Nuggets will be active during the offseason, the question will be do they decide to get younger this offseason via the draft, or make headway towards acquring veterans.
Here's a hint: The average age of the Nuggets team is 27 years old.
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3 months ago
Hey Sean, I had an idea for a trade, don't know if Memphis would go for it but it would be worth a shot.
I want a deal centered around Camby for Conley Jr. I am a big fan of Conley, who plays plus average to above average D, the ability to hit some open threes (which he would see a lot of in Denver), and most importantly, his ability to drive to the hole and create.
Memphis has a glut of guards after the Kevin Love trade, and really only has Milicic and Marc Gasol at the center position. Like I said, I dont know if they would go for it, but Milicic is average at best and Gasol is unproven.
Camby as you know would bring them rebounding and good interior D, something they lack.
Memphis still would have Kyle Lowry to pair with aquired OJ Mayo, and to spice up the deal, we could take a contract off of their hands; perhaps Marco Jaric?
The only problem would be we would be razor thin with the bigs. My answer to that would be, package Kleiza and picks to return a big, but that all hinges on wether or not JR Smith is in a Nuggets uni come next season. Weems could be sent down to the D-League until AI's time is done and would be a backup to JR.
It still pisses me off that we traded the #20 pick, we could have gone big with that pick in Deandre Jordan or Kosta Koufos to make Camby, or even Nene expendable. Just thinking aloud, but I would really approve of a move like that. Sadly nothing more than a pipe dream most likely.
from 3 months ago
I absolutely agree.
Would you prefer I write an article about it, or simply respond?
from 3 months ago
It's up to you Sean, if you want to rite an article about it, more power to ya. I think i was just trying to convince myself that the nuggs are going to actually do something productive, lol.
3 months ago
Tiago is from Brazil, and plays for a spanish team.
3 months ago
Sean, I like your efforts but give it up. The Nuggets aren't going to get a good draft prospect this year. I sort of want them to trade Carmelo. I wonder what trades are brewing there. I don't cover the Nuggets, so you should write an article on what could happen with Anthony this off-season. Read my article on the Miami Heat and tell me what you think about it.
3 months ago
How do you feel about Jason Williams running the point for denver?
3 months ago
memphis wouldn't go for that trade because they are trying to get younger and camby would only go in there for a couple of years to play for a bad team. Memphis knows they aren't going to contend next year, or the next, or probably even the next so why would they bring in a veteran and give up their young PG.
from 3 months ago
They still have another young PG Kyle Lowry and would have a 2009 1st round draft pick, to get younger.
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