How the Denver Nuggets Won the NBA Trade Deadline

Jun 16, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone (center), general manager GM Tim Connelly (left) and president Josh Kroenke (right) react to a media question during a press conference at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

You read that title right--the Denver Nuggets won the trade deadline. You can argue other teams did better as they helped in their pushes for championships, but Denver, in fact, won.

With all the talk of huge trades going down over the last month, the deadline ended up being a little bit bland with only “minor” deals getting completed. Everybody was waiting for the blockbuster deal that never came.

Let’s start by looking at the deal the Nuggets were a part of:

Deal Done

The team completed a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder around one p.m. The deal saw the following:

Denver receives:

point guard DJ Augustin forward Steve Novak (who will bought out) two second-round picks in 2016

Denver loses:

shooting guard Randy Foye

Deal’s Impact:

For Denver, who tries to rebuild this trade was simply spectacular.

The team essentially swapped one expiring contract in Foye for two expiring contracts in Augustin and Novak.

Foye, who is 32, would likely not have re-signed with Harris and Barton both playing exceptionally well at the two guard. Thus with Foye likely leaving, Denver was able trade him and to get two second round draft picks in return. These picks will help the Nuggets as they continue to rebuild.

Augustin, who was acquired in the trade, will help with depth as back-up point guard Jameer Nelson deals with a nagging wrist injury, which could require surgery, and starter Emmanuel Mudiay has had ankle soreness earlier in the season.

Augustin is a proven scorer and can even play some shooting guard. Adding that extra playmaking ability and veteran leadership can only help with the continued development.

What Wasn’t Done:

Arguably the most important thing the Nuggets did at this trade deadline was what they didn’t do.

After reports that the Clippers tried to raid the Nuggets core asking for forwards Danilo Gallinari and Kenneth Faried, guard Will Barton and center Nikola Jokic for an injured star in Blake Griffin and struggling guard Lance Stephenson it was good to see Denver’s front office not go all in for just a big name.

Instead, now the Nuggets can keep their young core together, only five games out of eighth place in the West, use their draft picks, including the two acquired at the deadline, and continue to rebuild toward the future.

With all the discussion of shipping Gallo, Faried, Hickson, and other veterans on the team, it is a little strange to say the Denver Nuggets staying more stagnant is a victory, but it solidifies the path they are on. Steady growth, drafting talent, and creating a winning culture.

Yes, Denver won the trade deadline Thursday.