Kenneth Faried (Photo : Getty Images)
Kenneth Faried could be traded before the 2016-2017 regular season begins, and among the potential destinations for the Manimal are the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls.
The Denver Nuggets may not wait until the start of the season before deciding to move Faried. With plenty of promising young big men in the Nuggets' current lineup, Faried could find himself "out of place" on Denver's current squad, making it wise for the team to get rid of the 26-year-old forward to not be a hinder to the better players around him, according to Brandon Carney of Hoops Habit.
"Out of place is a good way to describe Faried on the current Nuggets team. With all the youth on the squad, this season will be pivotal in acquiring an identity for the future. With so much emphasis on this growth in 2015-16, the Nuggets should dispose of Faried," Carney wrote.
"Denver would be smart to ship Faried to another team, ideally before the season starts. That way, they can maximize their ability to develop their young talents without an energetic but flawed player like Faried standing in the way."
With that being said, the Nuggets won't be short of trade partners for Faried, who averaged 12.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game last season. Tim Hart of NuggLove, a Nuggets fan site hosted by Sports Illustrated, listed the Celtics, Cavs and Bulls as potential landing spots for Faried.
It is no secret the Celtics are still looking for a proven star in hopes of completing a formidable team that could challenge well for an NBA title this season. Acquiring Faried would give the Celtics an athletic power forward who could complement Al Horford's half-court game.
In Hart's trade scenario, the Celtics would send Amir Johnson and Jae Crowder to the Nuggets for Faried, Wilson Chandler and Gary Harris.
Along with Faried, Chandler and Harris would add scoring threats to the Celtics, although it would cost Boston a two-way forward in Crowder, which may make this scenario unlikely to happen.
Another possible scenario, according to Hart, is the Nuggets trading Faried and a future first rounder to the Cavs for Kevin Love.
Love has struggled to fit with the Cavs ever since his arrival in Cleveland, being reduced from an All-Star forward to a limited scoring option for the defending champs. By trading for Faried the Cavs would get an explosive PF suited for their up-tempo offense.
On the other hand, Love could reclaim his old form playing for a young team. Love could come in as the top option and his veteran presence would be a tremendous value guiding the Nuggets' core of youngsters.
The Bulls are also rumored as a landing spot for Faried, with Chicago giving up Taj Gibson and Nikola Mirotic for the Manimal, Axel Toupane, Jakaar Sampson and a future first rounder.
Like his potential role with the Celtics and Cavs, Faried would add athleticism to the Bulls frontcourt, and may benefit well playing alongside Rajon Rondo. However, it is unlikely the Nuggets would want Gibson
It remains to be seen whether the Nuggets would be in a rush trading Faried this offseason, but it won't be too hard for Denver to deal him with plenty of teams looking for added talents.
