The Nuggets and Hawks have discussed a potential trade for forward Kenneth Faried, according to a report from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The report cites unidentified league sources.
Denver is hoping to move Faried’s $13.8 million contract. The trade could potentially include the Nuggets' first-round 2018 NBA Draft pick, which is No. 14 overall, as well as guard Malik Beasley and forward Tyler Lydon, the report says.
Faried has been a reliable rotation player for Denver throughout his career. But he averaged just 5.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in 2017-18. Faried has spent all seven of his NBA seasons with the Nuggets.
The Hawks already hold four picks in the upcoming draft, including the third overall selection. Atlanta could package its picks to move up or down in the draft, Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk told the Journal-Constitution.
“We are going through all those different scenarios and trying to evaluate whether the players in this draft would be players that we would value over the assets that we have stockpiled,” Schlenk said. “And (we) are certainly looking at it through the other lens, where we look to see if … moving back to collect more assets would be more advantageous."
The Hawks finished last season with a 24-58 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006-07.
