Will Barton Trade Rumors: Latest News, Speculation on Nuggets SG
The Denver Nuggets have reportedly been receiving plenty of calls about the availability of swingman Will Barton ahead of the NBA's Feb. 18 trade deadline.
Continue for updates.
Barton Reportedly Included in Griffin Trade Offer
Monday, Feb. 15
Chris Broussard of ESPN (h/t Tommy Beer of BasketballInsiders.com) reported the Los Angeles Clippers contacted the Nuggets and offered Blake Griffin and Lance Stephenson for Barton, Kenneth Faried, Danilo Gallinari and Nikola Jokic.
Nuggets Not Looking to Trade Barton Despite Interest
Sunday, Feb. 7
Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post reported the Nuggets received several offers for Barton, including some that included a first-round pick. With that said, the front office currently has no plans to move him during his breakout season.
Barton Has Thrived in Expanded Role With Nuggets
Barton, 25, was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round of the 2012 draft. He spent the first two-and-a-half seasons of his career with the organization but could never carve out more than a limited bench role for himself.
It wasn't until he was traded to Denver as part of the Arron Afflalo deal last February that he started to showcase some promising potential. And he's built on that in a major way this season.
The Memphis product is averaging 15.5 points, six rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 38 percent from three-point range through 54 games. It's made him one of the league's most important reserves with the Nuggets trying to make a second-half playoff push.
Rob Mahoney of Sports Illustrated passed along comments from the rising star regarding what clicked to help him find his way since arriving in Denver.
"I would try to go out there and make 100 plays in one, just to try to show the organization that I can play," Barton said. "Sometimes that can hurt you. You're already not out there for that many minutes. If you're trying to be Superman on every play, that's not gonna work."
The steadier mindset has allowed him to thrive. Apparently the Nuggets have been quite impressed and think highly of what he can become moving forward, considering that they're turning down deals for him that include first-round picks.
After all, despite his success this season, Barton still has a limited track record. This could be viewed as a chance to sell high on him if the Denver front office has any lingering concerns. Barring a late change of heart, though, it sounds like he'll be staying put at the deadline.
