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NBA Rumors: Denver Nuggets could use 14th pick to move Kenneth Faried

By Michael Saenz

DENVER, CO - MARCH 08: Kenneth Faried #35 of the Denver Nuggets grabs a rebound against the New York Knicks at Pepsi Center on March 8, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Knicks 110-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - MARCH 08: Kenneth Faried #35 of the Denver Nuggets grabs a rebound against the New York Knicks at Pepsi Center on March 8, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Knicks 110-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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NBA Rumors: The Denver Nuggets are so desperate to move Kenneth Faried that they could be forced to use the 14th pick as a sweetener

The Denver Nuggets have been trying to move Kenneth Faried off their roster for the past two years, but have had little luck in doing so. There have been some discussions over the last two years, but really nothing of substance that has come to fruition.

However, equipped with the 14th overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft and some difficult cap decisions on the horizon, the Nuggets are motivated to move Faried and his contract sooner rather than later.

Even if it means giving up this year’s first-round pick, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Will Barton and Wilson Chandler are free agents this summer. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray will soon be in line for huge raises. Even though the Nuggets fully know that they can’t pay everyone, cutting Faried’s $13-plus million off the cap wouldn’t solve all their cap issues, but it will help.

Over the last two seasons, the Nuggets have slowly faded Faried out of the team’s rotation. This past season, Faried averaged career lows in minutes played (14.4), rebounding (4.8), and points (5.9).

It doesn’t help that the NBA is quickly transitioning away from the big men. Faried, who isn’t a threat outside of the paint. That’s probably the biggest reason why the Nuggets haven’t been able to move Faried over the last couple of seasons.

Question is, how will they be able to move him now? Well, the 14th overall pick, which will be used as a sweetener, will help. But the fact that Faried’s contract is now expiring will be a huge assist too.

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Instead of taking on Faried as a potential piece over the next couple of seasons, a team could now take Faried on as an expiring contract.