The performance of Nuggets rookie guard Jamal Murray has made Emmanuel Mudiay expendable, writes Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post. Veteran Jameer Nelson has become the starting point guard as Denver pushes for a playoff spot, and Kiszla sees Murray as a better backup to both Nelson and Gary Harris than Mudiay is. That leaves little playing time for last year’s first-round pick, who may now be more valuable to the Nuggets as a trade chip. Kiszla would like to see the Nuggets pursue Chicago’s Jimmy Butler, but admits that Denver doesn’t have the pieces to make that happen. He also mentions Atlanta’s Thabo Sefolosha as a target, but not in a one-for-one deal for Mudiay.
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Tom Thibodeau’s new dual role as Timberwolves coach and president of basketball operations leaves no time for a vacation during the All-Star break, writes Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune. Zgoda lists seven possible targets for Minnesota before Thursday’s trade deadline: Chicago’s Taj Gibson, Orlando’s Bismack Biyombo, Denver’s Kenneth Faried and Wilson Chandler, Cleveland’s Iman Shumpert, Phoenix’s P.J. Tucker and Philadelphia’s Nerlens Noel.
- Lance Stephenson is looking at a two-week recovery from his Grade 2 ankle sprain, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News in Minneapolis. Stephenson’s 10-day contract expired this weekend, and it’s uncertain whether the Timberwolves will be interested in signing him again once he has recovered.
- The Jazz may add short-term salary to help them get above the cap floor, but they will be reluctant to take on long-term salary in any deal, writes Ryan McDonald of The Deseret News. Utah’s top priority this summer will be to re-sign Gordon Hayward, who will want a max contract with an annual salary in the $25MM to $30MM range. The Jazz also want to keep free agent point guard George Hill, who will demand about $20MM per season, and Rudy Gobert‘s extension will kick in next season, starting at more than $21.2MM next year. That ties up three players making more than $70MM, which limits Utah’s roster flexibility.
The salary Max deals are becoming out of this world crazy. But I guess what the league wants is 2 Stars per team. Maybe three if you count the third guy at 20 million.
So Utah will be stuck with those three guys Hayward Hill Gobert and then medium roster guys. That will win a championship? Basically they’re done. The warriors were fortunate with the timing that Klay and Draymond Green took 16 mil, and then Curry’s ankle contract at 11 mil. Heck even Livingston at what, 7 mil? And Iguadala at 12 are bargains. Be interesting to see how the league sits 5 years from now. Two stars per team I guess.
You mean there is a chance that Lance Stephenson could land with the Sixers?
Also, an Okafor for Mudiay would make some sense to me.
Maybe other things would need to happen, but I would not be opposed to it.
If Denver doesn’t have the pieces to pull off a butler trade please tell us who does? It’s unbelievable what they’ll publish these days. They have young talent, picks, and expiring contracts. Mudiay, Harris, hernangomez, Murray, Beasley. Gallo, chandler, Barton as vets they could trade. If you don’t know what you’re talking about don’t post
The Celtics do.
None of those players are nearly as talented and valuable as Jimmy Butler
Also, those guys are less exciting than Bradley, Fultz/Ball, Yabusele, and basically anything else you want that doesn’t start or is Smart.
I could see Denver having pieces for a potential Butler deal, if he does in fact get moved, before they made the deal with Portland
Butler and Gibson for Jamal Murray/Emanuel Mudiay, Will Barton, Nurkic, Faried Memphis 2017 1st rounder and Denver’s 2018 1st rounder?
But they moved Nurkic and a 1st rounder for Plumlee, who’s going to be a RFA. Guess you could replace those assets in the deal, but it’ll likely take 2 pieces to equal the value there
If I’m a team in need of a young asset to build around, I’d look at Emmanuel Mudiay. He is a very young player and I think he can still be a all star caliber to high end starter in this league. Chicago, Brooklyn (doesn’t have any assets ), Philly, Orlando could all benefit from having him.
Lopez is BKN’s only asset, and doesn’t help Denver because of Jokic. Otherwise Mudiay would be perfect.