The Denver Nuggets could be active in the days leading up to the NBA trade deadline. Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy expects Denver to be sellers this year, with a number of players - such as Arron Afflalo, Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari - available to be had.
Denver (18-27) has little chance, if any, of making the playoffs. With no postseason to play for, the Nuggets will likely start looking toward the future and make some of their veteran players available before the Feb. 19 deadline passes.
"It seems unlikely that Ty Lawson or Kenneth Faried will be dealt, but they still have veterans like Arron Afflalo, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, J.J. Hickson, Randy Foye, Darrell Arthur, JaVale McGee and Jameer Nelson who could be poached by other teams that are looking to win now and feel they're just a piece or two away," Kennedy wrote Tuesday.
Afflalo and Chandler appear to be the two most likely players to go. ESPN reported in mid-January that teams were inquiring about the pair, with Afflalo receiving interest from the Miami Heat, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Charlotte Hornets. Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler later confirmed Charlotte was interested in Afflalo, and Grantland's Zach Lowe reported the Portland Trail Blazers were eying Chandler.
The Oklahoma City Thunder were also reported as interested in Chandler.
Although Kennedy reported Faried was unlikely to be dealt, that may not be the case. Reports earlier this season indicated Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly would be willing to trade the power forward, despite having given him an extension in October.
