10 NBA players in need of a trade in 2017-18

3. Kenneth Faried

The Denver Nuggets‘ need to trade Kenneth Faried has been one of the league’s worst-kept secrets for years now. Ever since they signed him to that four-year, $50 million extension following a successful summer with Team USA Basketball, his production has tapered off.

The new direction of the NBA hasn’t helped his case, since Faried has no mid-range jumper to speak of. That hustle guy and aggressive offensive rebounder trademark can only get you so far, especially as the freak athleticism of this 27-year-old begins to wane.

Between Faried, Paul Millsap, Trey Lyles, Darrell Arthur, Juan Hernangomez, rookie Tyler Lydon and even Wilson Chandler, the Nuggets are overloaded with players who can log minutes at the 4. At this point, feeding minutes to the Manimal would simply be fan service.

Last season, Faried saw his role shrink and posted career-lows across the board with 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in 21.2 minutes per game. It’s abundantly clear he’s no longer a part of this young team’s nucleus, unless it’s as a locker room mentor.

Unfortunately, it’s far too early in Faried’s career to be embracing that kind of role, which is typically reserved for guys who are over the hill at age 30 and above.

The Manimal could still be useful coming off the bench for a playoff team. It just needs to be one that doesn’t already have 12 power forwards.