Kenneth Faried and DeMarcus Cousins (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Denver Nuggets' high-flying forward Kenneth Faried has been rumored to be on the move last season of due to his inconsistency. The "Manimal" is playing decent basketball for the Nuggets this season, but he could still be dealt before the deadline, according to a report.
Bleacher Report's Dan Favale projected that Denver could trade Faried this season as the team opts for rebuilding around their big men core of Nikola Jokic, Joffrey Lauvergne, and Jusuf Nurkic.
Favale added that while Wilson Chandler is out for this year due to a season-ending injury, "the Nuggets have to think big-picture" by putting up a team around Chandler, Will Barton, and Garry Harris, and give Danilo Gallinari more minutes at the 4-position.
Moreover, Faried could be part of the Nuggets' rebuilding program, but he is also the most proven piece that could net the team other assets essential for their future.
Faried has been having a decent performance so far with the Nuggets, averaging 12.5 points and 9.1 rebounds on 58.8 percent shooting. But Kalen Deremo of BSN Denver believes the Nuggets should consider trading Faried with the emergence of Lauvergne and Kovic and not fitting in Malone's defensive schemes.
If the Nuggets are to trade Faried, the ideal landing move would be to reunite the 26-year-old power forward with former coach George Karl in Sacramento in exchange for DeMarcus Cousins' own reunion with his former coach Mike Malone.
Cousins has reportedly clashed with Karl and it is not a surprise after the latter attempted to ironically trade him during the offseason for Faried.
Faried played key roles on Karl's 57-win Nuggets in 2013, along with Chandler and Ty Lawson. It was also when Faried's value as a player increased after being effective in Karl's system.
Malone, on the other hand, has established a great connection with Cousins prior to getting sacked last season. Cousins might enjoy playing for Malone again, which could give the Kings center a fresh start on a new atmosphere.
It would be a win-win situation for both parties, with Karl able to ship off Cousins, while Malone having the chance to focus on developing his young big men.
However, according to Mike Prada of SB Nation, completing the deal has less unlikelihood because it would be a poor pick for the Kings' franchise.
Prada wrote via CBS Sports' Ken Berger: "Faried would be difficult to trade before July since his contract includes a poison-pill provision; his incoming salary for the Kings ($10.45 million) would be vastly greater than his outgoing salary for the Nuggets ($2.25 million) if traded during the current league year."
Any developments from this trade scenario would certainly be interesting, but a may have to wait until the trade deadline gets near before hearing any progress from both team.
