George O'Brien
ASFN Icon
Denver Post
Lack of size could initiate trade
By Marc J. Spears
Denver Post Sports Writer
With the NBA trading deadline less than a month away, the Nuggets could be thinking about getting bigger.
While nothing is imminent, the Nuggets are in need of bulk and have some interest in making a move to get it. Among the big men reportedly being shopped are Atlanta forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Chicago center Eddy Curry, Los Angeles Clippers forward-center Melvin Ely, Orlando forward Juwan Howard, Cleveland center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Dallas forward Antawn Jamison, Atlanta center Theo Ratliff, New York forward-center Kurt Thomas and Portland forward Rasheed Wallace.
Advertisement
"When you see something happen more than once, you look at it more closely," general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said of the Nuggets' getting bullied because of their lack of strength inside. "I think we're going to look at a couple things. I'm willing to improve the team in any direction that might take place.
"This team is not really fully built yet. There can always be improvement."
The Nuggets are $2.3 million under the salary cap, which could help them make a deal by the Feb. 19 trading deadline. On the flip side, Denver would like to protect its salary-cap space for free agency this offseason. The Nuggets are expected to have about $20 million available.
While Vandeweghe acknowledged the Nuggets could use more strength inside, he would not disclose other weaknesses that need addressing. While the third-year GM has made numerous trades during his tenure, he has not made one this season and said he doesn't feel pressed to make a move.
"We're always trying to improve the team," Vandeweghe said. "You want to improve the team within the scope of going forward, too. We've kind of set out on a course and we want to make sure we don't want to deviate too much unless we decide, 'Hey, this isn't working."'
Lack of size could initiate trade
By Marc J. Spears
Denver Post Sports Writer
With the NBA trading deadline less than a month away, the Nuggets could be thinking about getting bigger.
While nothing is imminent, the Nuggets are in need of bulk and have some interest in making a move to get it. Among the big men reportedly being shopped are Atlanta forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Chicago center Eddy Curry, Los Angeles Clippers forward-center Melvin Ely, Orlando forward Juwan Howard, Cleveland center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Dallas forward Antawn Jamison, Atlanta center Theo Ratliff, New York forward-center Kurt Thomas and Portland forward Rasheed Wallace.
Advertisement
"When you see something happen more than once, you look at it more closely," general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said of the Nuggets' getting bullied because of their lack of strength inside. "I think we're going to look at a couple things. I'm willing to improve the team in any direction that might take place.
"This team is not really fully built yet. There can always be improvement."
The Nuggets are $2.3 million under the salary cap, which could help them make a deal by the Feb. 19 trading deadline. On the flip side, Denver would like to protect its salary-cap space for free agency this offseason. The Nuggets are expected to have about $20 million available.
While Vandeweghe acknowledged the Nuggets could use more strength inside, he would not disclose other weaknesses that need addressing. While the third-year GM has made numerous trades during his tenure, he has not made one this season and said he doesn't feel pressed to make a move.
"We're always trying to improve the team," Vandeweghe said. "You want to improve the team within the scope of going forward, too. We've kind of set out on a course and we want to make sure we don't want to deviate too much unless we decide, 'Hey, this isn't working."'
