The Denver Nuggets have a very good problem that a lot of teams envy. They have three young centers who all have tremendous potential and bright futures. The problem that comes along with having three really good centers is that it is hard to find consistent minutes for all three of them when everyone is healthy. Because the Nuggets are so deep at the position they have made Joffrey Lauvergne available in trade talks, according to Michael Scotto of Sheirdan Hoops.
The report states that the Nuggets are looking for a late first round pick in return for Lauvergne. This would seem to indicate they are looking to make a deal with a contending team that needs frontcourt depth. One team that comes to mind in this scenario would be the Memphis Grizzlies, as they have struggled for frontcourt depth all season and they are more than likely going to have a late first round pick this season. To be clear, the Grizzlies have not expressed interest, we just wanted to point out that they might make sense for Lauvergne.
Lauvergne is in his second year in the NBA and is still just 24 years old, but that makes him the oldest of Denver's three centers. The 6-foot-11 French center was selected late in the second round in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Grizzlies. Lauvergne is currently out of the Nuggets rotation since everyone is back and healthy, but earlier in the season he was playing and playing extremly well.
The second-year man has appeared in 28 games this season and is averaging 7.8 points and 5.2 rebounds in just 17.6 minutes per game. Lauvergne has proven he can play at a high level in the NBA; the issue has been that Nikola Jokic has emerged as one of the best rookies in the NBA, and Jusuf Nurkic is working his way back into form after knee surgery. Lauvergne has had injury issues of his own this season, but when he has been on the floor he has been very productive, he just happens to be the victim of a very deep frontcourt.
Lauvergne seems like the type of player that might draw a lot of trade interest considering how young and talented he is. The fact that he is the third best center on his own team is an aberration, and he could certainly help a team out now and down the road. Lauvergne's contract is also very team-friendly, as he is under control through next season for very cheap before he becomes a restricted free agent.
