Something to keep an eye on - Denver TE $9mil

[S.I.C. GM]

Though Denver might be able to find a better suitor, I am going to keep an eye on this.

If they dont find someone, I would try to send Battie or Hassel. If they didnt re-sign Carter, Alston would have been a perfect fit. Simmons would be perfect but his salary is larger then the TE. Not sure how that would work.

Even though they're over the salary cap, the Nuggets have a trade exception of almost $9 million they can use to address these needs, but it's good only until Nov. 3.

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_13132460

[NetsForce]

I personally don't see them using it, they haven't resigned Linas Kleiza, traded the EXPIRING Steven Hunter AND a first round pick to the Grizzlies for nothing just to get rid of his salary and reduce their LTT bill (just like they did with Camby last year), and even after all that still sit $2.5 million above the luxury tax threshold...

Now maybe I'm wrong and the moves above were made so that the Nuggets could acquire a bigger salaried player and pay an acceptable (for them) LTT amount, but I doubt it when you look at their management's moves the last two offseasons...

[Preludepunk27]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing that Denver won't use this unless they can nab a guy who will clearly make them better (either starter or bench doesn't matter). I know their owner is always scared about the lux tax and they're over the salary cap right now anyway. Unless they can use the TE in a deal to put them over the top in their eyes, they're going to go into the season As Is I think.

[S.I.C. GM]

I agree with you guys, but Battie, Alston, and Hassel have 1 year remaining on their contracts. They would be 1 year veteran rentals that they clearly need to stay competitive in the West. We need a roster spot.

I dont know how it would work for Simmons since his salary is higher the the TE, but he would fit in nicely too.

[Preludepunk27]

I agree with you guys, but Battie, Alston, and Hassel have 1 year remaining on their contracts. They would be 1 year veteran rentals that they clearly need to stay competitive in the West. We need a roster spot.

I dont know how it would work for Simmons since his salary is higher the the TE, but he would fit in nicely too.

Well definitely from our perspective we'd do it if we could get out of Simmons contract. I mean it's a no brainer to save that kind of money. My thinking was strictly on Denver's side of the fence though. They're already over the tax so it really depends on wheather they fell the player they're getting in return can push them over the top. I don't see Simmons, Battie, Alston or Hassel being worth it to Denver.

Also, I tried just doing figuring out the trade machine on ESPN to work a TE (Denver has a TON of them by the way) where we'd send them a player or two for the TE and maybe a 2nd rounder. I couldn't get it to work though. They need to give up salary and a lot of guys on their roster can't be traded for a while, don't make enough to match salaries or are too important to Denver. If you guys can get something to match, then go for it though.

[deviljets7]

I agree with you guys, but Battie, Alston, and Hassel have 1 year remaining on their contracts. They would be 1 year veteran rentals that they clearly need to stay competitive in the West. We need a roster spot.

I dont know how it would work for Simmons since his salary is higher the the TE, but he would fit in nicely too.

The problem is that you're aiming too high in terms of how much salary they are willing to take, keep in mind their luxury tax status. Also, Trenton Hassell does nothing to help them stay competitive.

Considering their financial situation and needs, maybe they'd take Hayes or Dooling.