The Nuggets have both placed and received calls about the 11th overall selection, which they’re interested in trading for a pick higher in the draft or a veteran, reports Chris Dempsey of The Denver Post. A handful of other teams are reportedly making their lottery picks available, and Nuggets GM Tim Connelly expects a bustling trade market leaguewide as the draft draws close.
“We’ve had a lot of conversations about a ton of different things — picks, trades, we’re pretty active right now,” Connelly said.
The team hasn’t ruled out using the pick, according to Dempsey, pointing to Rodney Hood‘s private workout with the team earlier this week and today’s audition of Gary Harris and Jabari Brown. Brown is a second-round prospect, so he’s likely in the mix for the 41st and 56th picks, which Denver also holds.
The Nuggets possess a trade exception worth $9,868,632 as a vestige of Andre Iguodala, giving them a weapon to acquire a veteran on a fairly sizable contract. Denver’s salary commitments will likely put the team over the cap at the start of free agency in July, so it’s no surprise that Connelly is pursuing trades to upgrade his team, which finished 36-46 this past season amid a rash of injuries.
The Nuggets have two second round picks this year: No. 41 and No. 56, from Portland.
What James said, not one, but 2 picks in the draft and stash round.
Thanks for catching that, both of you! I’ve corrected that.
–Chuck