NBA Trade Rumors: Denver Nuggets want first-round pick for Arron Afflalo

The NBA Trade Deadline is approaching and the Denver Nuggets are not going o give up Arron Afflalo without a fight. 

Despite the fact that the Denver Nuggets are on of the worst teams in the NBA this year, they’re going to be holding onto their current trade chips until the very last breath of the trade deadline this year. Perhaps their biggest trade chip at the moment is guard Arron Afflalo, whom they acquired this summer in a trade with the Orlando Magic.

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Rather than look for return on that trade on the court, Denver is already trying to double down and move Afflalo again before the deadline arrives.

According to the Denver Post, the Nuggets are still holding firm in their stance that they want a first-round pick for Arron Afflalo in any trade offer that is made to them.

"The Nuggets are holding firm to seeking a first-round pick from teams wanting to trade for shooting guard Arron Afflalo, according to NBA sources. There have been no takers, although interest remains high for Afflalo’s services."

Afflalo will be a free agent at the end of the season, which is likely why teams are highly reluctant to trade for him — especially if it means sacrificing a first-round pick.

This year’s NBA Draft Class isn’t as highly touted as last year’s but there are still teams who do not want to give up a high pick for return that could end up leaving in the offseason. The line of thinking here is, if Afflalo can be had in the offseason for nothing more than the cost of a contract, then why give up a first-round pick t get him now.

There are teams contending for playoff spots that could use Afflalo but the cost of acquiring him is too rich for the blood of most GMs around the league, and Denver will have to lower the price if they want to move their guard before it’s too late.

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