The Denver Nuggets need a significant acquisition this summer to turn the franchise around, and rumors have suggested the Mile High City could target Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins or Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love in the offseason.
Ben Dowsett of Basketball Insiders chronicled a piece consisting suggestions on how to fix the Nuggets heading into the next season. The report proposed multiple ways for Denver to be a once again become a contender in the league, one which includes making a "big trade" to speed up the Nuggets' timeline to get back on their winning ways.
Dowsett has Love and Cousins as set examples in his trade scenario. But while both big men are only mentioned as potential trade target, it would be interesting for the Nuggets to make a move for Love and Cousins in the offseason.
There is a growing sense that Love, despite inking a five-year $113 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, could be available in the market this coming offseason if the Cavs once again fail to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy.
Love has been linked to several trade rumors before the Feb. 18 deadline, with several reports claiming that the 27-year-old is available for trade deals albeit on a high asking price.
But if in case Love becomes available in the offseason, given the circumstance of another failed attempt to win a championship, the Nuggets would be a perfect landing spot for the All-Star forward, according to Adam Mares of SB Nation's Denver Stiffs.
"If Love does become available this summer, the Nuggets front office will have a difficult decision to make. The price might be steep but Love might be better right now than any player on the roster will ever be," Mares wrote.
"Surrounding Love with the guys Denver already has on the roster might bring out the best in Love all while helping the young Nuggets develop more quickly since they'll have skilled players at all five positions. It sounds like Love is on Denver's radar.
Meanwhile, Cousins would also be a good fit in Denver not only on what he brings on the table, but also his unique relationship with Nuggets coach Mike Malone. Cousins have played for three different coaches in his six season with the Kings, and among those coaches, only Malone seem to have established a connection with the All-Star center.
"When people ask DeMarcus about me, I think the things he respected about me was that I was always honest. If you're dishonest, you're done," Malone said about his relationship with Cousins.
The Kings are reportedly planning to test Cousins' value in the market, but he would probably be available for a high price too. Nevertheless, Sacramento have plenty of young assets and established mid-tier players who could be included in a trade package for the Kings center.
There is no denying Cousins talents and capability to boost a team's chances to contend for a title, but that could only be the case if he is surrounded by right pieces, particularly the right person to coach the All-Star center.