Search Here

The rumor mill is heating up as there's only a few days to go before the February 19 NBA trade deadline.

For first round picks, Denver Nuggets is open to negotiating its seasoned guards Arron Afflalo, Randy Foye and Jameer Nelson before the cut-off, Marc Stein of ESPN reported.

According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, the team has already talked with the Trail Blazers, Clippers, Heat and Kings about Afflalo and as reported, it wants a first-round pick in whatever deal concerning the guard.

Shelburne reported the list as follows:

"Among teams Nuggs have discussed Afflalo w/ -- Portland, Chi, Clips, Mia, Sac. He's got a player option next year, so FRP is a lot to ask."

- Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 11, 2015

The main hangup on Afflalo cited is that Arron Afflalo has a player option amounting to $7.75 million in the 2015-16 season.

It's a high price to pay, however, teams like the Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers could make use of a major team boost to increase win standing in the crowded West.

ESPN's Marc Stein reports the Nuggets could also be busy at the deadline moving other guards.

"Denver's demands have been high ever since getting two firsts for Mozgov, but Afflalo, Foye and Jameer Nelson could all move before deadline."

- Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 11, 2015

Talking of the Blazers, VP Neil Olshey told The Oregonian and hinted about what his team could consider doing next week:

"It's not going to be a starter. So we've got to find the right fit if we are going to make a move. And to your point earlier, Mike (Barrett), we're open to it, we want to get better, we're always looking for ways to improve the roster, but we need to be judicious in these things. Not just because of the assets we may or may not convey, but because of the short term and long term effect it can have on our chemistry and our roster balance."

This season with the Nuggets, Afflalo has an average of 14.5 points per game, a mark that beats his career average of 11.5 points per game. However, Afflalo's three-point percentage of 38% and field goal percentage of 43% are lower than his career averages. Though, the belief is that Afflalo's production is being impacted by the system that the Nuggets run.

With the player option that is attached to Afflalo's contract, it appears less probable that the Nuggets will be able to snag a first round pick in a trade.