Grading the Denver Nuggets’ Trades

Trading Wilson Chandler

The Nuggets traded Chandler, a 2021 second round pick and a 2021 second round to the 76ers for a 2022 second round pick. Denver found a team with cap space who would be willing to absorb Chandler’s four-year, $46.5M contract. This was the first step in getting the Nuggets under the luxury tax line. Denver loses a solid three and D wing in Chandler, but he is not getting any younger. We could easily see a guy like Torrey Craig or Jarred Vanderbilt take his minutes and be just as effective in the near future. The Nuggets will lose some immediate production, but this move was made looking long term.

Grade: A-

Trading Kenneth Faried

This was the move that got the Nuggets under the luxury tax. The Nuggets sent Faried, Darrell Arthur, a protected 2019 first round pick, and a 2020 second round pick to the Nets for Isaiah Whitehead (who was waived). Giving up a first-round pick does hurt, but Denver seemed hell-bent on dumping Faried at all cost. Faried is very athletic, energetic, and a great rebounder but his size and lack of an offensive game have him out of place in the modern NBA. Losing Faried and Arthur saved the Nuggets $21M on the books, putting them under the luxury tax.

Grade: B