The Vertical Front-Office Insider Bobby Marks, a 20-year executive with the Nets, breaks down the Denver Nuggets' situation as Thursday's trade deadline approaches.

OVERVIEW

Stay the course



Although Denver is on pace to finish in the draft lottery this year, there is no reason to jump two steps and accelerate the rebuild. Management has slowly built this team through smart trades and under-the-radar draft picks. Factor in also that each veteran contract going forward is structured with an eye on the rising salary cap. The Nuggets already have a plethora of picks now while also having manageable contracts. Unless Denver lands a top-three pick, it does not make sense to keep adding to the treasure chest.



The contracts of Danilo Gallinari, Will Barton and Kenneth Faried have high appeal to teams around the league. Although each player is not a franchise-level talent, the three players possess a different skill that would impact a playoff race. Moving each player comes with the risk of not getting back equal value. There is no reason to move any of the three players for a middle-round pick or a player with equal skill level.

Denver has a combination of five players who are either rookies or in their second year. Give credit to the Nuggets' scouting department for taking a chance on rookie Emmanuel Mudiay and drafting second-round pick Nikola Jokic. Mudiay's lack of a body of work scared teams away last June. Jokic, who was drafted with the 41st pick, has been one of the better rookies this season. Both players along with Gary Harris, Joffrey Lauvergne and Jusuf Nurkic form a solid core of young assets.

Own first-round pick or New York's

The Nuggets are known around league circles for having the ability to find European talent, either in the first or second round. With a draft potentially laden with international prospects, Denver has a clear advantage heading into June.



UP FOR DEBATE

Randy Foye



The veteran is on the last year of his contract. Although Foye's production has dropped significantly, his mentorship of the young Nuggets, alongside Mike Miller, has been invaluable.



Randy Foye is averaging six points this season. (Getty Images) More

WORTH TALKING ABOUT

Houston and Portland first-round picks



There is no guarantee the Nuggets are going to receive either pick, though the likelihood is Denver could receive both or one this year. With five players still on rookie contracts and a potential lottery pick in June, moving one or both of these for a future pick or veteran player could be healthy for the future.



J.J. Hickson

For a quick fix, Hickson has value with an expiring contract while possessing an ability teams desire: He can rebound. Out of the Nuggets' rotation this season, Denver could get a future second-round pick for Hickson.



NO-TRADE CLAUSE OR WITH A RESTRICTION

Darrell Arthur



Although Arthur signed a two-year contract this past summer, the second year has a player option. Arthur is deemed to have early Bird restrictions.



Arthur must approve of any transaction and his early Bird rights will not carry over to his new team.

TREASURE CHEST OF PICKS

Denver has its own first-round pick. From the Carmelo Anthony trade, Denver has the right to swap picks with New York. If the Nuggets elect the pick swap then their own first-round pick will go to Toronto.

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