Hoops Habit
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5 NBA Teams That Should Consider Trading Their Best Player

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 27, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings center center DeMarcus Cousins (15) dribbles the ball as Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) defends during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings center center DeMarcus Cousins (15) dribbles the ball as Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) defends during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) shoots the ball over Portland Trail Blazers forward Noah Vonleh (L) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Denver Nuggets — Wilson Chandler

Wilson Chandler hardly qualifies as a “star” player like the other four players on this list, but just like Lou Williams, he’s currently the best player on his team and could net his squad a decent return if it chose to move him.

Everyone has been ranting and raving about the culture Michael Malone is building with the Denver Nuggets, especially when it comes to veterans wanting to stick around rather than be traded to more competitive teams.

But at what point do we look at this team’s 12-17 record rather than how close they are to a playoff berth (0.5 games out of the eighth spot in the West)?

Currently averaging a team-leading 16.8 points and 7.0 rebounds in 31.0 minutes per game, Ill Will has done most of his damage off the bench. He’s been a leading Sixth Man of the Year candidate, supplying scoring, rebounding and solid wing defense to remind the world how good he was before a hip injury sidelined him for all of last season.

Chandler is putting up career-highs in scoring and rebounding in his age-29 season, and his veteran experience and two-way play could be valuable off the bench for a playoff team. He’s only got $12 million on his contract for next season, plus a $12.8 million option for 2018-19, making him a bargain deal.

The Nuggets have plenty of wing depth, so even though there’s no need to trade Chandler, they might as well put out feelers with his value currently so high. At some point, guys like Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and/or Kenneth Faried will need to be firmly on the trade block, and with the way he’s playing right now, Ill Will is Denver’s most realistic trade option.