Could Nuggets Trade Will Barton After Dec. 15 Deadline?

Will Barton, Denver Nuggets, NBA
NBA Analysis Network

The Denver Nuggets have been hit hard by the injury bug this season. They came into the 2021-22 NBA campaign knowing they would be without Jamal Murray for a majority, if not all of it, but the injuries have kept on coming throughout the season.

Michael Porter Jr. could miss the remainder of the season now because of a back injury. P.J. Dozier tore his ACL and will miss the remainder of the season. Austin Rivers is now in the league’s health and safety protocols.

Denver is very short-handed and in a tough predicament. They are currently 10-11 on the season, holding the final spot in the Western Conference’s Play-In Tournament. But, they are only half a game behind the fourth-place Dallas Mavericks for home-court advantage in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

While their Big 3 may be down to a Big 1 with reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, the goals remain the same for the Nuggets. They are looking to win and compete in the postseason. But, they will need some reinforcements to do that.

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Denver has done an excellent job building up its roster and could look to make another move this season. If they are aiming to make an upgrade, Will Barton is someone that could be on the move. In the most recent episode of The HoopsHype Podcast, Barton was discussed as one of the players eligible to be traded once December 15th rolls around that could be on the move.

“He’s a really good role player, and he makes a pretty median-sized salary… He’s had some injury issues the past few years, but so far, he’s been healthy and playing really well… If they were to move Barton, they could do something like him and their pick this year to get an upgrade at shooting guard or another wing player.”

The Nuggets have two other players, JaMychal Green and Jeff Green, that are also eligible to be traded. But, Yossi Gozlan, who provided the quote above, believes they are unlikely to be moved as they are guys Denver wants to put around their core.

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Barton is someone the organization likes, but he is really their best trade chip should they look to make a deal. He is having a great season, averaging a career-high 16.2 points per game to go along with 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and one steal. The assists are also a career-high mark, as is the 39.1 percent that he is shooting from 3-point range.

It would be hard to imagine the Denver Nuggets trading Will Barton now, given the state of their roster and how important he is to their game plan. But, once they are beginning to look healthy again, it is feasible to see why he is someone they believe could be on the move at some point.

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