Kenneth Faried (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Denver Nuggets are reportedly attempting to trade Kenneth Faried, and one of the rumored potential destinations for the "Manimal" is the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Kenneth Faried's days as a member of the Denver Nuggets could be numbered, with the team actively exploring the trade market on deals that would likely include the 26-year-old power forward, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe.
"The team I heard the most about in terms that they still might have moves up their sleeve other than Boston in Vegas is Denver," Lowe told ESPN's Marc Stein in the Lowe Post podcast.
"His [Faried] salary is that of the best bench player on the team." Lowe added. "I think even Denver wants to explore bringing him of the bench."
Faried has been a key contributor for the Nuggets since his arrival in Mile High City, with career averages of 12.3 points and 8.7 rebounds a game. But with the Nuggets having plenty of emerging young talents, any trade deal the team attempts would likely include Faried.
According to Taylor Hunt of NuggLove, a popular fan site hosted by Sports Illustrated's Fansided, one of the potential trade destinations for Faried is the Cleveland Cavaliers, who could deal All-Star forward Kevin Love in exchange for the high-energy PF.
"Faried could also end up heading to Cleveland to play alongside LeBron and Kyrie. The trade would also likely include Kevin Love heading to Denver, so the Cavs would also be getting more quality players/picks," Hunt wrote.
"Obviously, this is an unlikely landing spot for Faried as they are defending champions, but trading Kevin Love isn't off the table for sure."
The Cavs have been linked to dealing Love for the past few months, despite the team winning the NBA championship in June. But Love's struggle to fit with the Cavs could still make him expendable, especially with Cleveland failing to add top players in free agency.
Bringing in Faried would help the Cavs play a faster pace of transition game. He could instantly provide Cleveland an energy-boosting dynamic frontcourt, playing alongside Tristan Thompson, who also serves as the Cavs' energizer.
While giving up Love would leave the Cavs without a stretch four, the defending champs did not entirely rely on Love the first time he joined the team. Faried's two-way game would make him a desirable fit for the Cavs than Love's one-sided game.
On the other hand, Love should help lead the Nuggets' core of young talents. His championship experience and veteran presence could be more valuable to the team than his scoring prowess, although Love's numbers should also contribute to Denver's winning ways.
Swapping Faried for Love works on ESPN's trade machine, but any potential deal that could surface between the Cavs and the Nuggets would probably involve other tradable pieces like Will Barton, who, according to BSN Denver's Harrison Wind, could be included in a deal if Denver wants value in return for Faried.
"If Denver does want to get some value in return for Faried, they'd likely have to include another asset. In that situation, you're looking at someone like Will Barton, who is on one of the league's best contracts, but also was solely responsible for winning the Nuggets four or five games last season," Wind wrote.
It remains to be seen whether the Cavs would consider trading for Faried, especially with Cleveland yet to secure LeBron James and JR Smith. But if the Nuggets put up an enticing package that centers in Faried, it becomes a deal worth exploring for the Cavs.
