The Denver Nuggets played a huge role in Wednesday's landscape-shifting four-team blockbuster trade. While the deal centered around Robert Covington joining the Houston Rockets and Clint Capela landing with the Atlanta Hawks, there's no doubt that Denver's involvement in the deal will have a significant effect on their team both in the short term and for the future.
The Nuggets parted ways with fourth-year man Malik Beasley, 6-foot-9 power forward Juan Hernangomez, and 20-year-old sophomore Jarred Vanderbilt. Denver received Gerald Green (who's out for the season0, Keita Bates-Diop, Shabazz Napier, Noah Vonleh, and perhaps most significantly, Houston's 2020 first-round pick.
Some believe this move by the Nuggets is a precursor to an even bigger deal before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. One big name linked to their squad is New Orleans Pelicans veteran guard Jrue Holiday, and Holiday's name was being bandied about in the immediate aftermath of this trade:
A big question now: Will the Nuggets go all in for Jrue Holiday?
Adding Houston’s 2020 first gives Denver more ammo. Paul Millsap is expiring. Gary Harris is still only 25. Both make sense for the Pelicans to get younger and free cap space—if the Nuggets give enough draft picks.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 5, 2020
First off, the Pelicans are reportedly not all that interested in shopping Holiday. They're more than willing to keep Holiday past the deadline, but if the Nuggets come with a sizable offer, New Orleans may at least consider the possibility of parting ways with the terrific two-way guard.
Right now, Holiday is averaging 19.4 points (on 43.9 percent shooting), 4.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.9 blocks while also connecting on a career-best 2.0 triples per ballgame on a 34.6 percent clip. Those are some pretty impressive numbers, and the Nuggets would certainly need to dig deep into their pockets if they hope to pry him away from the Pelicans.
Denver would almost certainly need to include a guy like Gary Harris in any potential deal, as well as the recently acquired first-rounder from Houston and perhaps even more draft capital. As O'Connor notes above, Paul Millsap's expiring contract could also be involved. The Pelicans may also ask for Michael Porter Jr., which could be a sticking point in negotiations given the promise he has shown in his limited minutes.
At the moment, there is very little doubt that the Nuggets are one of the best teams in the West. They are currently sitting in the third spot in the conference with a 35-16 record and appear to be more than capable of beating any team on any given night. There is, however, some doubt as to whether this current squad has what it takes to go all the way.
Adding Holiday could potentially be the missing piece that brings the Nuggets over the top. The 29-year-old is one of the best two-way guards in the league today, and sliding him alongside Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic would instantly make Denver a more formidable squad.
A steep price is required to acquire the services of Holiday. However, if the Nuggets feel that now is the best time to make a serious run at the title, then pushing their chips in on Holiday becomes mandatory.
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