Denver Nuggets 2009 Draft Preview: Trades Are A' Brewin'

The Denver Nuggets come into the 2009 draft as they do many years; with low expectations, and without a pick in the first round for the fourth consecutive year, the only one that matters in the NBA draft.

In fact, Denver didn’t have a single pick in any of the previous three drafts. The Nuggets basically have taken the style of building the team through trades, and free agent acquisitions, which has seemed to pay off.

But now, after a loss in the Western Conference Finals, their best season in 24 years, the Nuggets are beginning to age, and young talent is needed.

This year, the Nuggets actually have a pick, but it doesn’t come until No. 34, deep into this NBA draft that many are calling weak overall.

Denver has many question marks that surround their team when it comes to free agents. Because of that fact, I believe the Nuggets will make a package deal trade and move up in the draft for a young player.

First though, let’s assess the Nuggets players: whom they will keep, and whom they will trade.

Of the 14 players on the Nuggets' roster, six are free agents, including Chris “the Birdman” Andersen, Anthony Carter, Jason Hart, and Dahntay Jones, who are all unrestricted.

Linas Klieza is one of the restricted free agents for the Nuggets, and he will likely be re-signed for a $2.7 million team option. That would leave around $6 million to sign Denver’s unrestricted free agents.

Birdman was huge for Denver in 2008-09, as his 2.46 blocks per game were second best in the NBA behind Dwight Howard’s 2.92. All that, and Andersen came off the bench, averaging only 20 minutes a game!

Birdman, though, was a steal overall for $998,000 last season, and will likely look for closer to the $3 million-to-$4 million range, and a longer contract.

Really, he’s the one player of the group that Denver must keep, if not for his hard, hustling game play, then because he’s a fan favorite.

Also, his size gives the Nuggets a big man off the bench when K-Mart or Nene get into foul trouble, which it seems, one always does. Keeping Birdman though, leaves only $2 million-$3 million for the rest of the roster, which could cause problems for the Nuggets.

Dahntay Jones is the only starter on this list, but he was utilized there mainly for his defense, something that was officially emphasized this year in the Mile High City by George Karl.

Jones though, is a one-way player who isn’t even as good as a Bruce Bowen, so there’s no reason he should start. With J.R. Smith getting better year after year, and fans wondering why he didn’t start last year, he will start next year at SG.

Carter is the Nuggets’ backup point guard, one year removed from being Denver’s starting point guard, before Chauncey Billups arrived. While Carter is considered the Nuggets best perimeter defender by Karl, he is aging, and his decision making has been lacking lately.

Fresh in Nuggets’ fans memories are thrown away balls and opportunities all season, including a huge inbounds play against the Lakers that arguably cost Denver the second game in the series.

Over and over, A.C. tries to do too much with the ball, overthrowing teammates down the floor, or turning the ball over at crucial times in games.

While Jason Hart played some minutes this season, he is not a great fit for the Nuggets at this time and will either be packaged in a deal, or come deep off the bench.

Denver’s biggest need is at backup point guard, which is where the Nuggets need to trade to get in the 2009 draft.

The Nuggets should take the opportunity to make a huge trade before the season, and draft day is a great time to do it.

So, as Denver looks at the need for young players, and a backup point guard, the Nuggets will trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, or New Jersey Nets for the 10th or 11th pick, depending on where their player falls.

The Nuggets' best option in the draft at a young backup point guard is Jonny Flynn, a 6’ PG out of Syracuse. Many experts have Flynn going at No. 10 to Milwaukee; and a trade with them makes the most sense.

While Luke Ridnour and Michael Redd give the Bucks a great starting backcourt, their bench lacks at the guard position with Ramon Sessions and Damon Jones as backups.

For the 10th pick, Denver will trade one of three options I will present here; Jones/Carter, Jones/Carter and the 34th pick, or Jones/Hart and the 34th pick.

Jones would provide a great backup SG, one who can come off the bench with great energy and can play defense when Redd needs a breather. Carter/Hart provide stop-gap solutions to the backup point guard position as well.

Likely, if this trade were to happen, Denver would give up their 34th pick as well, but all would be sunny in Denver with more talent and relief of the salary cap in the same move.

Then, with the 10th pick, Denver will select Jonny Flynn creating an Orange connection in the Nuggets baby blue with Melo and Flynn, a duo that could be great together for years.

Flynn is touted as a highly athletic guard who can dunk on bigger players, has a high basketball IQ, and hit an amazing 16-of-16 FTs in their 6-OT game against UCONN last season. His weaknesses include being more of a scorer than distributor, needs to develop a jumper, and averaged too many turnovers.

Although, with some coaching, Flynn could be great, as he has lots of potential, as he averaged 17.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game last year.

If the Nuggets make the move, it could be the second great trade made by GM Rex Chapman in two consecutive years, and in all, Denver needs to finally make some noise during the draft in ’09.