20 best players who could be available at NBA trade deadline
By John Buhler
Jameer Nelson
Point Guard, Denver Nuggets
Though the Denver Nuggets are in position to push for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, it would not be all that shocking if general manager Tim Connelly traded away just enough pieces to cost his team a chance at getting boat raced by the Golden State Warriors in round one.
Connelly loves accumulating assets and might actually be able to get something for his aging backup point guard Jameer Nelson. While the NBA is very much a point guard driven league, there can never be enough ball handlers on a team chasing a championship.
Given that Nelson is still ringless, he could have interest in being traded to a team like the Cleveland Cavaliers to be Kyrie Irving’s backup this spring. Nelson is a competitor, a solid backcourt mentor, and above all, an adult. His veteran presence would make most contending teams better from a morale standpoint alone.
These next few games are particularly crucial for the Connelly and the Nuggets. If the Denver front office doesn’t think it can make the playoffs, don’t be surprised if the Nuggets executives punt the second half and trade away interesting pieces like Nelson for future assets.