Denver Nuggets Should Think Carefully Before Acquiring Ron Artest Or Sam Cassell

February 05 08

My AM Take: If it isn’t broke don’t fix it. The Denver Nuggets should remember this saying before changing their team with a major trade.

After all, the Nuggets are shining with a 29-18 record. And last night, second-capo Allen Iverson twice nailed clutch OT jumpers to seal a win against the upstart Portland Trail Blazers.

Yet, despite their success trade rumors are flying. The media has linked Ron Artest and Sam Cassell to the Nuggets like TMZ links actors to a certain California socialite.

So why is Denver contemplating change? What effect would Ron-Ron and/or Gollum have in The Mile High City?

Quite often, major trades –like the Lakers’ acquisition of Pau Gasol- force other teams to consider making their own blockbuster move. It’s referred to as the domino theory. An initial trade leads to other trades. Right now, the Nuggets –like the rest of the NBA- are reacting to the Gasol deal. They’re trying to determine if this is the first of many trades to come.

Perception is also important. To appease fans, Denver’s front office must appear like they’re trying to improve. So in a sense, recent trade rumors are positive because they reassure the team’s fans.

On paper, Artest and Cassell could help the Nuggets. Both are talented. But both have explosive personalities that can destroy any team-let alone a squad full of head strong talent.

How much swagger is too much? The Nuggets already have Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Martin, J.R. Smith, and Marcus Camby. Is there room for Artest? Can a mellower George Karl still manage Cassell?

Perhaps, Denver should stick with what they have. It’s not broke. And it doesn’t need fixing.

Should Denver trade for Artest or Cassell? Let us know in the comment box below or hit us up in our fan forum. The AM Take is Oly’s morning thoughts on the NBA, appearing Sunday through Friday on HoopsVibe.com. Errors can be attributed to the time and his need for another coffee. Click here to get his AM Take and subscribe to his blog.

13 Comments: Denver Nuggets Should Think Carefully Before Acquiring Ron Artest (...)

Posted by
Lani
on 02.20.2008

Get Artest without losing LK and I am ecstatic. .

Posted by
Lani
on 02.20.2008

I would love to have Cassell or Mike Miller. Artest would be good, but a trade for four months doesn’t seem too solid. If there were a guarantee that Artest would be around next year, I think we could justify trading LK. I would rather just soldify the point and call it good. We need motivation, not stars. .

Posted by
Foshiznit
on 02.20.2008

The talk is Artest for J.R. Smith and Najera. This is a good deal to me, because Artest would bring a huge amount of much needed D for the Nuggets in exchange for slippery Smith and "on and off" Najera. It would definitely help us get past Round 1. .

Posted by
mike brown
on 02.9.2008

we need to shake up this squad this team needs to compete in the west to go deep in the playoffs not to just make the playoffs. Smith can go he doesn’t fit in except for the headband. I will take artest and put iverson at the point. They need to start playing more like a team and use all the weapons they need a j Kidd or even a j will that can be a role player and have at least one passer. -hoopconnection.com .

Posted by
ballin
on 02.6.2008

confused boy, jamario moon plays for toronto, wich is why twolves havent signed him, they never will cuz he wont live t.othe only one that makes sense to me is bibby, cassell is to old and not enuff to make an impact, unless hes bought out and they get him, and ron doesnt fit the nuggets, bibby would give them the third scorer and a great pg to go wit ai and carmelo. my thoughts are that they will get at least one quality guy before the deadline .

Posted by

on 02.5.2008

well nuggets could have a really good team if they got ron ron. lets see the line up. pg=allen iverson ( great player with great d)sg= ron ron ( great d and a good scorer)sf= melo ( great player and scorer)pf= kenyon martin ( they shoudl trade him for a better pf)c= marcus camby (great d)this could help because now they have a great defensive player on the premiter who can get a few blocks and steals a game. why not get artest. maybe trade martin for him and put nene at pf .

Posted by
AI die-hard
on 02.5.2008

Denver needs a strong forward, not a small forwar; nor do we need a pt. guard who shoots a lot like Mike Bibby. Though, if Bibby can become the "Facilitator"—really take that role—then that would be a great pick up. So, I recant: take Bibby.Also, I would take Cassell. Still, we need another big guy—first of Importance. .

Posted by
Denver Fan
on 02.5.2008

I would disagree that the nuggets dont need the help, and that we are shining. Sure 29-18 looks good on paper but they are not leading the division and are currently 7th in playoff standings. There need to be changes .

Posted by
Joshua Morse @ www.jmflava.com
on 02.5.2008

I think the Kings need to rebuild. I also think that the Nuggets should be gong for the likes of Mike Bibby in opposition to Ron Artest. The Nuggets already have their SF spot covered in Carmelo Anthony. It would be nice to see them get a nice floor general like Bibby and let Iverson move over to the 2-slot. If not, then I suppose Artest could add some depth, but at what cost? .

Posted by
sherman
on 02.5.2008

The Denver Nuggets in my my mind lack only one thing, a coach who stresses the fundamentals of defense. Sure their ball movement as well as individual talent of course is among the NBAs elite, but as the old saying goes, defense wins championships. .

Posted by
Colorado Boy
on 02.5.2008

Here’s the deal: The Western Conference is easily one of the more complicated and evenly matched set of teams in recent history. The top eight teams are separated by five games. Ron Artest, despite his troubles, is a good basketball player who may add the "third crucial scorer" to an inconsistent Nuggets team. I am definatly biased in my opinions but maybe Artest is the unlikely solution to Denver’s struggles with a very tough competition. The risk is high but the reward may yield an attractive return. Can’t wait to see how this plays out. .

Posted by
confused boy
on 02.5.2008

I wonder why the T-Wolves aren’t signing both players as well as Jamario Moon? Why don’t they add players to make for a bigger roster with more people on it? .

Posted by
Debby
on 02.5.2008

The Kings need to get rid of him, but we will not just trade, we need to get value for what his value will be when he gets a new contract. KINGS FAN .

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	About Oly Sandor
Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More

Denver Nuggets Should Think Carefully Before Acquiring Ron Artest Or Sam Cassell

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