Trade Rumors: Enes Kanter Demands Trade

Danilo Gallinari was having an incredible season in 2012-2013 when he tore his ACL.  He was averaging 16.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and was shooting 37.3% from three.  Gallo has suffered two ACL injuries but is finally healthy and working back to shape.  However, Danilo has been a shell of his former self so far.  The Nuggets have restricted his minutes he plays to around 20 a night.  The Jazz would have to believe they can get Gallinari back to his 2012 form.

If they believe Gallo can comeback from his injury, this trade is a no brainer.  At 26 years old he is still a young player.  If he were to get back to his former self, having Gallo and Hayward on the wing would be an incredible one-two punch.  The players are both very similar.  Efficient wing scorers that like to either score attacking the basket or shoot the three.

The Nuggests would do this deal for cap reasons.  They are currently the 11th team in the West, and have fairly old roster.  They need to either compete or rebuild.  It is looking more and more likely that they will need to rebuild.  If they decide to do so, selling their older players like Gallo would be beneficial.  They would be clearing his two years of salary and get back two contracts expiring contracts(Booker has a team option).

Ernie Padaon writes for Nugg Love and covers the Nuggets.  You can follow him on Twitter here.  Of this trade he had the following to say:

"“The Nuggets would only do this trade to save money. This would benefit the Nuggets by helping them get $4M off the books so they can either save money up for a big free agent come the 2015 off-season or more likely do what the 76ers are currently doing and have a cheap, and talent lacking roster as they begin a potential rebuild.  For Utah this would help by giving them a veteran presence who can help younger wing players like Gordan Hayward or Rodney Hood. Also personally Gallinari is the most exciting player on the Nuggets and is my favorite Nuggets player on their roster; he would give Jazz fans a reason to go to the games and would be a crowd favortie. Danilo has playoff experience and can be a real help to team chemistry.  Proof: The Denver Nuggets’ ‘Italian celebration’ for Danilo Gallinari is the best (Video).”"

While this trade doesn’t include Kanter or Burke, its much more representative of a trade the Jazz are likely to make.  This trade would be a gamble for the Utah Jazz, but for the price they are paying, it would be worth it.  They can bring Gallinari along slowly this year, and then he can help them make a playoff push later.  Denver may want a second in this deal, which again wouldn’t be an issue with the plethora that the Jazz have coming towards them.

You can find this trade on ESPN’s trade machine here.

Next: Most Likely Scenario