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NBA Trade Deadline: Every Team’s Most Untouchable Asset

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay during the backcourt skills challenge during the NBA All Star Saturday Night at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay during the backcourt skills challenge during the NBA All Star Saturday Night at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Nuggets: First-Round Draft Picks

The Denver Nuggets have as many trade assets as any team in the NBA. Denver has a roster flush with young and developing talents, as well as B and C-level players who are running out of time to make the leap to the tier of All-Stars and dominant defensive forces.

For as talented as Denver’s roster may be, the only untouchable assets are the two 2016 first-round draft picks it’s in possession of.

The Toronto Raptors will receive the less favorable of the Nuggets’ or New York Knicks’ first-round draft picks, and Denver will keep the other. The Nuggets also hold the rights to the Houston Rockets’ lottery-protected first-round pick in 2016.

If Houston manages to slip into the playoffs, Denver may have two of the Top 20 picks this coming June—something that, along with its roster pieces, could help it trade into the Top 5.

Emmanuel Mudiay shouldn’t be dealt, no matter how poorly he’s shooting, and Will Barton has proven valuable to the organization. Being able to potentially land a Top 5 pick is an untouchable opportunity that Denver cannot let slip away.

There’s an immense level of talent at the top of the 2016 NBA Draft, and Tim Connelly has a chance to capitalize on it.

Next: Detroit Pistons