SI.com reports that the Oklahoma City Thunder have called the Denver Nuggets to explore the possibility of a trade for one of their many talented forwards.
Teams continue to look at Denver as an appealing trade partner. While the Cavs have been trying to extract Timofey Mozgov, league sources say the Thunder have inquired about the availability of Wilson Chandler.
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Chandler is averaging 14.7 points per game this season in just 30 minutes per contest, shooting 44 percent from the field and 38 percent from three. He'd be a perfect fit on the Thunder, able to play backup small forward and at power forward in small-ball lineups. He's versatile, a willing and capable defender, and is a low-maintenance teammate.
OKC would have to surrender future assets, namely picks, to get into talks, however, and may have to take back more salary in the form of J.J. Hickson or Nate Robinson. The Nuggets built this team to be deep, and are full-up at 15, so they can't take extra players back.
Denver has been all over the place, losing six in a row at the start of the season, then winning six of their next seven, and finally broke a four-game losing streak vs. Miami at home on Wednesday. If they can't right the ship in a brutal Western Conference, there has been speculation from outside league sources they would consider a series of trades to reduce payroll. They're also deep at wing, even as Danilo Gallinari struggles to return from his torn ACL (he's currently dealing with bone bruises) and to adjust to life under Brian Shaw. Alonzo Gee has played well and earned his coach's trust in the fourth quarter on the wing after being signed as a free agent.
OKC is hot right now, though, having won five in a row and seven of its last 10, and Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are back. If it becomes clear they need extra firepower, however, Chandler would be an ideal target.
HT: RealGM
