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NBA Trade Deadline 2019: The 30-team mega-deal that solves nothing and makes everyone mad

By Ian Levy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 19: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during a game at Wells Fargo Center on January 19, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Thunder defeated the Sixers 117-115. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 19: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during a game at Wells Fargo Center on January 19, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Thunder defeated the Sixers 117-115. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 18: Dzanan Musa #30 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center on December 18, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 18: Dzanan Musa #30 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center on December 18, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /

Denver Nuggets

Sending out: Trey Lyles (MEM)

Bringing in: Dzanan Musa (BRK), Denzel Valentine (CHI)

The Nuggets have been flirting with the best record in the Western Conference since early in the season.  The leap from where they are now (great season, hypothetical contender) to where they would like to be (several consecutive great seasons, consistent contender) is paved with internal development and continuing to fine-tune their depth. However, given how much of a surprise their depth has been this year — incredible seasons from Juan Hernangomez, Malik Beasley and Monte Morris — it’s probably not the time to start tweaking with veterans on short-term deals.

Sending out Trey Lyles, who has looked increasingly irrelevant of late, isn’t a great loss in the short- or long-term but it lets let them bring in Dzanan Musa. He’s a talented rookie with the potential to grow into a meaningful offensive contributor and shot creator. He’s been injured and barely played for the Nets this season but, at 19 years old, adds some upside to the Nuggets future and could slowly grow into a useful depth role at a time when Denver has to make hard financial decisions about some of their current young players while they try to keep their window of contention open.

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