NBA Rumors: Kenneth Faried Wants Trade From Denver Nuggets

NBA rumors are swirling around Kenneth Faried. According to SB Nation, the veteran power forward might be asked to take a reduced role next season. Some feel that Faried would be more suited for a bench role with the Denver Nuggets. As a highly paid player who has grown accustomed to being in the starting lineup, Faried might resist the idea. A trade request could be made over the summer so that he can seek a new home in the National Basketball Association.

Kenneth Faried is a really solid player who is not all that known to NBA fans. A big part of that is because he plays for the Denver Nuggets, a team that has been lacking a big name superstar since Carmelo Anthony was traded to the New York Knicks. Another reason is because Faried doesn’t generate a lot of headlines with his actions. His averages of 12.5 points and 8.7 rebounds are greatly under appreciated.

The Denver Nuggets have an enviable problem on their hands. Their front court might be too deep and talented. Joffrey Lauvergne, Nikola Jokic and Jusuf Nurkic have emerged as legitimate big men in the NBA. There’s only so much playing time available, especially since the trend in the National Basketball Association is small ball. It’s getting harder and harder for Nuggets head coach Michael Malone to find playing time for Kenneth Faried.

Even though Kenneth Faried is just 26 years old, the other big men are younger than he is. Joffrey Lauvergne is 24 years old, while Nikola Jokic and Jusuf Nurkic are both just 21 years old. The Denver Nuggets are favoring the younger guys who could possibly be with them for the next decade. Jokic and Nurkic could develop into a twin tower tandem that forces teams in the NBA to abandon small ball lineups when they’re up against the Nuggets.

Trading Kenneth Faried might be the best thing for the Denver Nuggets. Since he is capable of being a starter in the NBA, teams will be willing to give up assets to acquire his services. The Nuggets can add more firepower to their back court. Emmanuel Mudiay and Gary Harris could use some help. Mudiay is 20 years old, and Harris is 21, so bringing in a veteran might be a useful thing for Denver.

A veteran like Kirk Hinrich could be useful for the Denver Nuggets bench. He’s been in the NBA for a dozen years. Hinrich could prove to be a valuable mentor to Emmanuel Mudiay, while also providing minutes behind him. The former Kansas Jayhawks star is also versatile enough to play some minutes at shooting guard, so he can provide Gary Harris with a breather at the position for a couple of minutes as well.

As far as Kenneth Faried is concerned, there are a couple of NBA teams that might be interested. The Brooklyn Nets could use some production behind Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez. With Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah both possibly leaving town, the Chicago Bulls might need someone at the power forward position that can put up numbers. The Los Angeles Clippers are concerned about the health of Blake Griffin, so Faried could fit in there.

Sometimes in the NBA, players and organizations simply grow apart. Their needs no longer match up with one another. Kenneth Faried doesn’t hate being with the Denver Nuggets. He simply wants to play. Faried has already publicly accepted the fact that the Nuggets need to play younger guys. He’s been quite professional about things. Denver needs to reward him by finding another home for him in the National Basketball Association.

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