Welcome to the Mile High Sports 2018 NBA Draft rumor tracker. Any and every verifiable report involving the Denver Nuggets will be kept up to date from most recent to least recent as we approach the NBA Draft in the post below. Michael Porter Jr. “may end up” falling all the way to the Nuggets with the 14th pick Prior to the start of the 2018 NBA Draft, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN has reported that one of the top prospects in the draft, Michael Porter Jr., is slipping into the later portion of the lottery. Wojnarowski went on to say that Porter falling means that the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers will have a decision to make on him. Here is his full quote: “Right now, in the lottery, the Clippers at 12 and 13, and the Nuggets at 14 are preparing for the possibility that Michael Porter Jr. may end up all the way down there and they will have to make a decision on drafting him.” Porter does fit a need for the Nuggets being that he is one of the more highly-touted wing players in the draft, but his medical outlook has been said to be rough. Denver Nuggets are “in discussions” with the Memphis Grizzlies for 4th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft According to Jonathan Givony of ESPN, the Denver Nuggets are one of seven teams “in discussions” with the Memphis Grizzlies for a deal that would net Denver the 4th pick in the draft while also taking on Chandler Parson’s remaining contract. Here is the full excerpt from Givony’s story on the Grizzlies trade talks for the 4th pick: “The Memphis Grizzlies are in discussions with a number of teams to trade the No. 4 pick in the draft, league sources tell ESPN. Any such trade would likely include Memphis forward Chandler Parsons, whose contract is considered an albatross because of his knee problems. “The Grizzlies have several potential trade partners, as the Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics and LA Clippers have shown varying degrees of interest in a deal, a source told ESPN.” Givony is also reporting that the Grizzlies do not expect the “most serious offers” until when they are on the clock and teams know who is still available. This report is also consistent with Adrian Wojnarowski’s earlier report that the Nuggets were looking to trade up in the draft. Chandler Parsons is still owed $49.2 million over the next two seasons. Denver actually has the right assets to make a trade interesting for the Grizzlies. Both Kenneth Faried and Wilson Chandler — if Chandler opts into the final year of his contract before the NBA Draft — would be expiring contracts that would match salaries if Denver attempted to send some package of draft picks instead of Jamal Murray in a deal. If the Grizzlies want Murray, a deal of Faried, Darrell Arthur, and Murray works under CBA rules regardless of what picks are attached. Regardless, Denver is involved and has the means to make a serious run at acquiring the 4th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Atlanta Hawks are targeting Denver as a potential trade partner in their attempt to move up in the 2018 NBA Draft According to Michael Scotto of The Athletic, the Atlanta Hawks — who have been previously linked to the Nuggets as a potential team to absorb Kenneth Faried’s contract — are using their two first-round picks, 19th and 30th, to attempt to move up in the draft. Scotto went on to say that the Hawks are targeting Denver’s 14th pick and one of the Clippers’ two first round picks, 12th or 13th. The Atlanta Hawks have dangled their No. 19 and 30 picks to move up in the draft, league sources told The Athletic. The Los Angeles Clippers (picks 12 and 13) and Denver (pick 14) are among the targets for Atlanta, league sources say. — Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 20, 2018 Denver has now been connected to the Hawks multiple times so one of two things could be happening: either the Hawks have been leaking this information hoping to get Denver to call them up and have a conversation, or there have been real tangible talks between the two franchises. Only time will tell what the situation actually is. Denver Nuggets may not feel “under the gun” to move off of salary until the 2019 NBA trade deadline According to Matt Moore of The Action Network, with the 2018 NBA Draft rapidly approaching, the Denver Nuggets do not feel “under the gun” to move off of any salary until the 2019 trade deadline. Denver may only be broadcasting this for leverage purposes, so take it with a grain of salt, but I continue to hear nothing but “We’re not under the gun to move salary with a pick until the trade deadline.” — Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) June 20, 2018 This is an interesting update because if Denver does not find a way to move off of some salary, they will likely be $9 million into the luxury tax prior to attempting to bring back Will Barton. That also includes the losses of Devin Harris, Richard Jefferson, and Torrey Craig as well. So, Denver will be virtually unable to sign any free agents outside of the mini mid-level exception while losing three rotation players. As the rumors continue to circulate, it is becoming more and more clear that really every scenario is on the table and there will not be a common consensus on what the Nuggets plans are until they trade their pick or select a player with it. Denver Nuggets are reportedly seeking “suitors for both Kenneth Faried’s and Darrell Arthur’s contracts” As rumors continue to swirl as the 2018 NBA Draft approaches, the Denver Nuggets continue to be mentioned more and more frequently. The Nuggets “remain highly active in trade talks,” according to many sources, including Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated. Fischer is reporting that Denver is not just looking to use the 14th pick as leverage to move off of disgruntled backup power forward Kenneth Faired, but also Darrell Arthur, one of the Nuggets’ most important veteran leaders in the locker room. Here is the full quote from Fischer: “The Nuggets remain highly active in trade talks, sources say. Denver has consistently sought suitors for both Kenneth Faried’s and Darrell Arthur’s contracts, attaching the No. 14 pick in discussions.” At this point, there have been multiple reports saying that the Nuggets have explored using the 14th pick to clear salary. On the other hand, there have been reports that Denver has bee looking to move up in the draft, as outlined below. All that is known is that Tim Connelly has been working the phones and remains highly active leading up to Thursday’s draft. Denver Nuggets are among teams looking to move up into the “top five or six” picks in the 2018 NBA Draft Just days prior to the 2018 NBA Draft, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN was on TV and reported that the Denver Nuggets are trying to move up in the draft. “Denver, at fourteen, would like to move up,” Wojnarowski reported. Prior to Denver coming up in the conversation, Woj was talking about how the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, and Memphis Grizzlies were “fielding a lot calls” surrounding the second, third, and fourth pick in the draft. Woj also brought up the Los Angeles Clippers as another team looking to move up in the draft. Here is the video clip thanks to Trey Mitchell: Wojnarowski continued to report that Denver is looking to get into the “top five or six.” To do so, they would likely have to trade one of Jamal Murray or Gary Harris and it is unclear if they would be willing to part with the assets necessary to move up that far in the draft. Here is the full quote from Woj: “Denver would love to get up higher in this draft,” Woj said. “It remains to be seen whether they’re willing to give up the assets to do that.<doc-sep>The days before the NBA draft are rife with rumor and innuendo, but even with that said this year is particularly fertile. Nearly every lottery spot is in play in some form or fashion, and in one of the latest rumors Jonathan Givony of Draft Express (and ESPN) offered up the Denver Nuggets as one of seven suitors for the fourth overall pick currently held by the Memphis Grizzlies: ESPN News Story: Grizzlies discuss trading No. 4 pick. Seven potential suitors emerge https://t.co/9dwu2OZqko — Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 21, 2018 Denver would have to leapfrog the offers of several teams ahead of them according to the piece, including the Orlando Magic, the New York Knicks, the Chicago Bulls and others. Denver being willing to throw their hat into that ring would mean the exact player they want would have to be there, considering both the cost of moving up and the heavy salary cap burden that oft-injured Chandler Parsons would also bring ($49.2 million over the next two seasons). For both salary cap and player impact reasons, the Nuggets would likely have to part with Gary Harris to get up to the #4. Memphis needs bigger contracts to match Parsons and they are looking for immediate return as well. The other option is to trade Jamal Murray along with expiring contracts like Kenneth Faried and Darrell Arthur to make up the salary difference. That would let Memphis re-enter the free agent market before Jamal Murray’s extension date, and give them the chance to build more around him. Regardless, losing either man is a tough pill to swallow for a team that has been touting them as part of the young core, so the player at #4 would need to have superstar potential. Whether that would be a falling Luka Doncic or some other player obviously isn’t known, but to outbid teams with higher lottery draft picks to offer Denver would likely be forced into trading one of its young guards. It’s hard to see a scenario where they move up without that outcome. Despite that, it might be worth it. This is a crucial summer for structuring this Nuggets team for the long haul, and if Denver believes their young guards overlap too much in position and skill set then grabbing yet another key building block at a different position might be the successful way forward. Hold on tight, Nuggets fans - it’s going to be a strange 24 hours.<doc-sep>If Kenneth Faried is going to get unloaded in a salary dump this offseason, there is a decent chance that the Atlanta Hawks are going to be the team that takes him on. The Hawks have salary cap space to fit Faried and his $13.7 million contact onto their roster and are just beginning a rebuild. Devoid of the expectations to make the playoffs anytime soon, the Hawks are exactly the type of team to take a flyer on Faried, assuming that he comes attached with a draft pick or young prospect. Today, The Athletic’s Michael Scotto revealed that league sources are indicating the Hawks have been eyeing an NBA draft prospect projected to be available with the 14th pick. The Atlanta Hawks have dangled their No. 19 and 30 picks to move up in the draft, league sources told The Athletic. The Los Angeles Clippers (picks 12 and 13) and Denver (pick 14) are among the targets for Atlanta, league sources say. — Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 20, 2018 Tim Connelly and the Nuggets appear to be exploring several options relating to their position in this year’s draft. Earlier in the week, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski shared that the Nuggets were interested in moving up in the draft while reports earlier in the month pegged Denver as a move-back candidate. ESPN’s Jonothan Givony hinted on the Lowe Post podcast that Denver was likely to stand pat at the draft and select at 14. So there are officially rumors out there for Denver to move up, move back, and stay put. At least right now it appears as though Denver has the option to use the pick to shed Faried’s salary should they chose to do so.<doc-sep>
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 10: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks and Emmanuel Mudiay #0 of the Denver Nuggets shakehands before the game on January 10, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) The Denver Nuggets are nearing closer to the NBA Draft. There are rumors about the Atlanta Hawks being interested in the 14th pick. The Denver Nuggets are aggressively seeking a way to trade their 14th overall pick. Whether it is move up or down in the upcoming NBA Draft is still a question. The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly interested in obtaining Denver’s pick and the Nuggets should be willing to take the offer. If the Hawks are willing to take on Kenneth Faried and/or Wilson Chandler, then it would be a match made in heaven for the Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks. Denver could receive their 19th pick along with another nice piece. Someone such as Kent Bazemore or even Dennis Shroeder if they want to go a different route for a back up point guard. Not to mention, they could still draft a solid young prospect. They would have the 19th overall. The Denver Nuggets have high ambitions for this year’s NBA Draft and making this deal with the rebuilding Atlanta Hawks team. Atlanta could get a nice veteran boost from Kenneth Faried and/or Wilson Chandler. Plus, they could get a player with more potential than they may have originally planned with Denver’s 14th overall pick. It would benefit both teams greatly as the Nuggets would finally be able to clear up some cap space and maybe trade some pieces who no longer fit the roster’s current construction. The Nuggets have a lot riding on their future with this year’s off season. This potential trade could be a kick starter to a terrific off season. A great off season for an organization who is growing into a team who will be feared in the Western Conference. Want your voice heard? Join the Nugg Love team! Write for us! The NBA Draft is just around the corner now!