A Realistic Kenneth Faried Trade
On Nov. 13 ESPN published an article reporting a potential trade between the New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets. Sources told ESPN that both teams were discussing an Iman Shumpert for Kenneth Faried swap. The proposed trade never happened and Nuggets representatives told Faried’s party that they are not shopping the third year big man. Well, I think that’s a lie. Actually a half-lie. The Nuggets aren’t going to trade for the Shumpert; they can get way more in return. However; I do believe that Faried is on the market. A quick look at his Per 36 Minute numbers and all signs point to him being one-dimensional.
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/14/2013.
A lack of an offensive a game makes Faried a liability at times, especially on this Nuggets team. The 2013-2014 Nuggets are having trouble finding their offensive identity without Danilo Gallinari. Ty Lawson is off to a great start, averaging 21 points per game, but Denver severely lacks a second scoring option. The Nuggets did enjoy a return from Wilson Chandler against the Lakers, but Chandler doesn’t have a 17-18 point per game ceiling. If you don’t include Chandler’s one game this season, the Nuggets’ second leading scorer is Faried at 10 points per game. Denver is screaming mediocrity by having 6 players average 9-12 points per contest. At 23 year old, Faried has a friendly rookie contract. On October 29th, Denver picked up his 2.2 million dollar option for the 2014-2015 season. With a friendly contract, Faried is a prime trade candidate.
So, what do the Nuggets need? A true center. Someone that can get down and dirty, not fancy and cute. Who should they target? Greg Monroe of the Detroit Pistons. How likely are the Pistons in trading Monroe? I’d give it an 8/10. Their front court of Josh Smith, Andre Drummond, and Monroe has not been working. Plus Monroe will be a free agent by the end of the year. Is Detroit willing to let him walk for nothing? Doubtful. Would they trade him for Faried? Will the Nuggets want Monroe? Let’s take a look at what Monroe brings. Here are his per 36 minute stats:
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/14/2013.
Monroe is not the rebounder that Faried is, but he has a much more complete offensive game. Additionally he is a pretty good passing big man. If the Nuggets could land him, they’re looking at a starting lineup of: Ty Lawson, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Greg Monroe, and JaVale McGee. That would be a versatile lineup that could score on you through athleticism or downright toughness.
Monroe can dominate in the Western Conference were there are a few true big men(Flickr.com photo/Keith Allison)
Why would the Pistons want Faried? Well, he would be a two-year rental rather than the one-year they have with Monroe. Additionally, he will help space out the floor. The Big Three of Smith, Drummond, and Monroe has been lethargic. There isn’t enough room on the offensive end. The addition of Faried will help fix this problem. Faried isn’t your typical big guy. He is very athletic and mobile, so there will be more space on the floor. This extra space will help Drummond and Smith to create shots. Additionally, I am under the assumption that the Pistons plan on building around Drummond. He has shown the ability to be an All-Star year in and year out in the future. By moving out Monroe, you are giving Drummond more room down low to develop his offensive game. The Pistons would support a starting lineup of: Brandon Jennings,Chauncey Billups, Josh Smith, Faried, and Drummond. That is a playoff team in the East.
So if you were in charge of the Nuggets or the Pistons, would you make this move?
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