The NBA offseason can't get here soon enough for the Denver Nuggets, who have major roster decisions to make. They are reportedly looking to slash salary in hopes of bringing back Peyton Watson.
That could have involved them trading either Cam Johnson or Christian Braun to free up salary. While neither move is technically necessary with them under the first apron room, it seems that they are looking to pinch pennies instead of building the best possible team.
Between Johnson and Braun, Johnson is the easiest player to be traded in the Detroit Pistons; they have had interest in him. But what would a trade between the Nuggets and Pistons look like? Let's take a look.
The Nuggets ruthlessly slash salary in proposed trade
There is a trade that may actually help both teams: a nugget sending Johnson to the Pistons in exchange for Marcus Sasser and Duncan Robinson. Johnson didn't have the best season, but he is one of the best shooters in the NBA and is certainly better than Robinson and Sasser.
So why would Denver do this deal? Robinson has a contract structure in which he can be traded to a team and then waived. He is set to make $15 million this season but only has two million guaranteed.
That means that this trade saved the Nuggets a total of $15.8 million. With that type of breathing room, they could easily bring back Watson. However, they would be losing a starter in the name of saving their owner money. That probably won't sit well with the many Nuggets fans.
Would the Pistons and Nuggets agree to the trade?
The Pistons would likely agree to the trade since they'd be getting the best player in the deal without having to give up significant assets. That would be a win for them given how much they need shooting.
As for the Nuggets, they'd be taking a step back by trading a starter to essentially slash salary, but it would allow them to bring back Watson. That might not make them better next season, but it will make them cheaper.
All told, the Nuggets would probably jump at the chance to save near $16 million. If their goal is to pinch pennies, trading Johnson for Robinson and Sasser makes plenty of sense for them.
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