Andrew Feinstein of DenverStiffs.com said he “laughed hard” when he heard the reports about the L.A. Clippers wanting four of the Nuggets’ star players for two of their own. However, he does understand where the Clippers are coming from with making the phone call to Denver. Still, Feinstein believed it would have been foolish for the Nuggets to agree with the trade.
Feinstein joined Eric Goodman and Les Shapiro on Afternoon Drive on AM 1340 to break down the possible trade that had Danilo Gallinari, Will Barton, Kenneth Faried, and Nikola Jokic going from the Nuggets to the Clippers. In return, the Nuggets would receive Blake Griffin and Lance Stephenson.
Feinstein believes that the Clippers really want Gallinari because he could solve a lot of the problems they are having this season. He didn’t go into depth about what the “problems” are for the Clippers, but there’s no doubt that someone like Gallinari would bring in additional quickness as well as defense to the small forward position.
Along with Feinstein laughing at this trade, Shapiro said he thinks it would have been silly for the Nuggets to go along with it.
But it poses another interesting question: What move do the Nuggets need to make? It’s a question Feinstein is frequently asked. Here’s his input on that subject:
Nothing. The Nuggets should not make a move at this time. If they were to do something, the only move Feinstein could see is trading J.J. Hickson because, “for whatever reason he and Coach Malone are not on the same page and he’s not getting any minutes.”
Instead of making trades for big name, expensive players, the Nuggets should hold on to their young inexpensive talent and look forward to the 2017 season. If the Nuggets are to miss this season’s playoffs and get a better draft pick, Feinstein trusts that they could get another great pick which would propel the team forward and make them relevant for a long time. Furthermore, he feels that the Nuggets shouldn’t make any move because with the new salary cap, who knows what will happen. Perhaps another lockout? In that case keeping the players they currently have would heavily benefit the team.
The Nuggets just need to stay put, says Feinstein. They don’t need to lose all of their remaining games, but they also don’t need to play for the eighth playoff spot. Feinstein caps it off saying, “good things happen to those who compete.”
Catch the full discussion with Andrew Feinstein clearing the air of Nuggets rumors in the podcast below…
Catch Afternoon Drive every weekday from 4p-6p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 or stream live any time for Denver’s biggest lineup covering what’s new and what’s next in Colorado sports.