Nuggets trade Kosta Koufos for Grizzlies' Darrell Arthur

[Maf]

First impresion of Connelly isn't very high right now...

[darivo]

Lawson / Miller / Green
Fournier / Hamilton / Stone
Gallo (hurt)/ Chandler
Faried / Arthur / Randolph
McGee / Mozgov

?

Put Korver IN

[scottcarman]

There is not much spin to put on the trade. It doesn't really help us financially. It hurts us talent wise. It doesn't make us younger. It's one of those 'what the hell were you thinking?' trades.

I'm guessing that Mozgov is gone also, and they plan to run AR as the backup Center.

Not sure why you would think Mozgov is gone. He is a restricted free agent, didn't do anything last year to make him worth a contract that we couldn't match, and it already sounded like Connolly wanted to give him a chance to see what he has. If anything, this move puts less faith in AR15.

Why pay Mozgov 4M which is the QO but give Koufos away for nearly nothing when he only made 3. K oufos clearly outplayed him last year

[Nuggninja]

Koufos is the first player in history who actually gets punished for playing well and doing his job.

He didn't play well in the playoffs this year or last year.

[DaFan334]

There is not much spin to put on the trade. It doesn't really help us financially. It hurts us talent wise. It doesn't make us younger. It's one of those 'what the hell were you thinking?' trades.

I'm guessing that Mozgov is gone also, and they plan to run AR as the backup Center.

Not sure why you would think Mozgov is gone. He is a restricted free agent, didn't do anything last year to make him worth a contract that we couldn't match, and it already sounded like Connolly wanted to give him a chance to see what he has. If anything, this move puts less faith in AR15.

Why pay Mozgov 4M which is the QO but give Koufos away for nearly nothing when he only made 3. Koufos clearly outplayed him last year

You have a bit of a point, however we would have probably paid to keep Mozgov either way because he is still a valuable and talented asset that we would be better off keeping than losing in free agency for nothing. This may just mean that the new staff values him more since he is a more physical player with nearly the same talent level, just didn't fit into the system last year as they feel he will now. Getting Arthur who may fit the new system better than Koufos with his defensive ability and floor spacing may have been the best move for the team, even if they give up a more valuable piece. I feel like it is too early to be over critical of the new staff when we haven't seen what they have planned with the rest of the off season. If we resign Iguadala, this team isn't much different from last year with some potentially good changes.

[The Rebel]

One thing about Mozgov, Connelly was an coach through basketball without border a few years ago in Russia, and actually was Mozgov's coach. He has seen what he can do up close. Fact is Mozgov is not that bad of a backup center, and if he can get his confidence up he would be a solid 3rd big.

[eathb_au]

The one thing that gives me hope about Mozgov is that the frontcourt of Faried-Mozzy-McGee played even against the Lakers in the 2012 playoffs.

[MomaDance]

Mozgov is much more talented than Koufos and I am very interested to see how he plays next year with the Nuggets if they do retain him. The thing that Karl didnt like about him was that he is definitely soft and does not have that killer instinct. The guy is a huge teddy bear. But I do think given the minutes he will turn people's heads. His confidence is so shattered at this point that it might take some time but he does put in the work and with some court time under his belt he could be a very competent back up center, if not fringe starter.

[Maf]

Of course... Mozgov can be really good. Too bad it took three years and nobody could teach him to NOT **** MOVE WHILE SETTING A PICK yet.

[pickIBL]

good to hear the Nuggets FO is talking contract with Mozgov & hopefully they get it done so they can focus on trading Andre Miller.