Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler
Nov 1, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) drives the ball while being defended by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Nick Collison (4) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Reuters

With the 2014-2015 NBA season roughly two months old, contenders are trying to explore the trade market to improve their status for the rest of the year. Two contending teams, the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East are targeting a pair of Denver Nuggets players namely Wilson Chandler and Timofey Mozgov.

According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, both the Thunder and Cavaliers see the Nuggets as “an appealing trade partner with their primary respective targets as Chandler and Mozgov.

If Oklahoma finds success in acquiring Chandler, they will add a small forward that can provide scoring punch off the bench. Chandler is also a capable defensive player. Currently, the Thunder’s primary off the bench players in the wings are Jeremy Lamb, Reggie Jackson and Anthony Morrow. Chandler averages 14.7 points and 6.4 rebounds for the season with a season high 29-point output on 12-of-22 field goal shooting in a 96-84 loss to the Atlanta Hawks last Dec. 7.

For Cleveland, adding Mozgov will add a legit centre to their thin front court. Anderson and Varejao are the starters for Cavaliers but after them they only have Tristan Thompson as the primary big man off the bench. Mozgov averages 10.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots for the season with his best came coming versus the Phoenix Suns last Nov. 26 earning 18 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots.

The Denver Nuggets are currently at 10-12, just good for 11th place in the Western Conference. They are not pegged to make the playoffs and will most likely want young prospects and/or future high draft picks if they deal out Chandler and/or Mozgov. The Thunder have a few young guys to offer which may include Jeremy Lamb and others while the Cavaliers have may not want to part with young stud Dion Waiters and may have to send out future first rounders. The NBA Trade Deadline this season is set on Feb. 19, 2015 at 3:00 pm.

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