Seeing the weak spot in the West, the Denver Nuggets get aggressive and make the New Orleans Pelicans swap Jrue Holiday
Seeking to upgrade their chances at a title push by the end of the season, the Denver Nuggets fit the profile of a team with a limited current title window and has the right combination of assets to make a deal for Jrue Holiday if they truly wanted to get something done.
There’s a continuing arms race in the Western Conference, as other playoff teams around the conference are adding players to help compete with the LA Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers, both of whom are in the arms race themselves.
A big question now: Will the Nuggets go all in for Jrue Holiday?
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 5, 2020
Adding Houston’s 2020 first gives Denver more ammo. Paul Millsap is expiring. Gary Harris is still only 25. Both make sense for the Pelicans to get younger and free cap space—if the Nuggets give enough draft picks.
In fact, the Nuggets have already been active on the NBA trade market, moving Juancho Hernangomez and Malik Beasly to the Minnesota Timberwolves as a part of a larger trade.
ESPN Sources: 4-team trade agreement: Houston: Robert Covington; Atlanta: Clint Capela and Nene; Minnesota: Malik Beasley, Juancho Hernangomez, Evan Turner, ATL 1st round pick via Nets; Denver: Gerald Green, Houston FRP.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2020
Acquiring limited chips in the wild Clint Capela trade that took place last night, the Denver Nuggets now have an extra unprotected pick at their disposal to make a move, one that could catapult their chances at a title chase.
While the New Orleans Pelicans have their own hyped rookie, the Nuggets have been enjoying the rise of 20-year-old small forward Michael Porter Jr., who looks like a star in the making despite playing limited minutes.
On the other hand, the Denver Nuggets have been unwilling to include Porter Jr. in any trade package up to this point, so in that case, their best package would likely have to include a quality young player, but more importantly, quite a few unprotected draft assets.
Making a deal with Denver seems like the most likely route for a Jrue Holiday trade due to their collection of players on matching salaries and unscathed draft assets.
Would the New Orleans Pelicans be willing to absorb the multiple years left on Gary Harris‘s contract in a trade that brings them plenty of favorable assets? That’s a question best asked to Trajan Langdon and David Griffin.