As the NBA Trade Deadline approaches (3:00 PM EST on Thursday), teams of all types are scrambling to make the most of their most valuable assets: player contracts. Some teams, like the Denver Nuggets, are looking to shore up their lineups anticipating a long postseason push. Others, like the New Orleans Pelicans and Orlando Magic, are trying to unload expiring contracts in exchange for some value before they lose them for nothing in free agency.

It just so happens that the Nuggets and Pelicans are perfect dancing partners going into this Thursday.

Denver right now is at the most frustrating of standstills: great, but not contending. They have a bonafide unicorn in the bruising, yet smooth behemoth Nikola Jokic, and a budding perimeter star in human microwave Jamal Murray.

Their supporting cast is similarly stacked, as Michael Porter, Jr. has come into his own as a potential third member of a growing Big Three with Murray and The Joker. Their offense is stellar and defense perfectly pedestrian enough for the sixth-best net rating in the league, and they are looking like a perennial playoff team in the West.

However, at this point, Denver is starting to look like an “always the bridesmaid, never the bride” situation, similar to the Utah Jazz. So long as teams like the Lakers, Clippers, Bucks, 76ers, and Nets stay intact, the Denver Nuggets will never enjoy being at the very top of the mountain.

In short, they need a push. If this trade goes through, that push is named Lonzo Ball.

Bleacher Report has already linked the former number two pick and Denver in potential trade talks, citing several insider sources. Bol Bol has been listed as the primary offering in exchange for Ball, and while it is notable that New Orleans passed on him in the 2019 draft, it stands to reason that his potential in Denver's system has drawn enough attention for the Pelicans to look at him as a solid piece.

Bol is a rangy seven-footer with crazy length and floor spacing potential, and if packaged with a deal sweetener like Gary Harris or Will Barton, will be a great deal in exchange for someone like Ball who can push the Nuggets over the proverbial hump.

Lonzo, meanwhile is a brilliant fit for Denver's offense, as outside of Jokic, the Nuggets don't have any player on the roster with primary playmaking ability.

Ball's aggressive passing and non-ball-centric game fits well with the Nuggets, especially since he can sort of shoot now (40% FG, 39% from three). He will make a brilliant passing duo with The Joker, and will be able to pick up the slack in Denver's relatively lackluster defense.

Of course, anything can happen during these last few days of trade eligibility for the season, but as one of the crazier potential deals in the works, this one has the potential to work out swimmingly on both sides of the deal.