Denver Nuggets haven't reached the playoffs for the past 3 NBA seasons. With the way they are starting now, it looks like they will not contend in the playoffs once again this season.
At 3-7 win-loss record, they are now at 12th place in the competitive Western Conference. The Denver Nuggets star Danilo Gallinari average a career high last season at 19.5 points per game last season. This season he is playing decently at 16.8 points per game.
But according to bleacher report, Denver Nuggets might trade Gallinari for a future asset. The reason for this is that the team already has a bright future at frontcourt position with young big men in Jusuf Norkic and Nikola Jokic.
Aside from that, the backcourt partner of Emmanuel Mudiay and Jamal Murray has a lot of potential. The Nuggets can be a playoff bound team in 2-3 years given the young talents that they have. What they are lacking though is a sixth man who could lead the bench scoring while the main players are resting.
If bench scoring is the problem, perhaps getting Allen Crabbe from the Portland Trailblazers might be the answer for the Nuggets. Crabbe averages 9.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game off the bench for the Blazers. Given these facts, trading Danilo Gallinari to the Portland Trailblazers for Allen Crabbe might be a possibility.
At 7-4, the Blazers at sitting at the 4th place in the West. They have the backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum leading the way with a combined 52.8 scoring average. But for the Blazers to dig deep in the playoffs, they need a stretch four who could score from the inside and could also shoot threes when open.
That's why Gallinari might be the player that the Blazers need to get to the next level. He could score and space the floor with his three-point shooting. He could also score well from the inside. As an NBA veteran, Gallinari could also be a big help in the playoffs.
Allen Crabbe could also fit for the Nuggets' young core. He could provide some scoring off the bench. Aside from that, he is also a good defender.
Gallinari has a salary of around $15 million this season while Allen Crabbe's salary is around $18 million. If salary will be the basis, this NBA trade is feasible. And according to ESPN, the Portland Trailblazers is the surest team to make a trade.
Will this trade happen before the trade deadline? Stay tuned for more NBA trade rumors and updates.
