The 2019-20 NBA trade deadline is set to expire at 3pm ET, this Thursday afternoon (1/6/20). Denver Nugget general manager Tim Connelly has the luxury of being a buyer or seller at the deadline.

Connelly can either use some of the roster’s assests to bring in another star caliber player, or he can consolidate the roster by trading away some of the teams depth for draft picks to allow more minutes for fringe rotation players. Connelly also can choose to not make a trade at all and continue with the roster that has a record of 88-43 since the beginning of the 2018-19 season.

Will the Nuggets make a move?

If so, I detailed three players the Nuggets can acquire that will make an immediate impact and possibly help Denver swing a playoff series.

Robert Covington

After going undrafted in 2013, Robert Covington has developed into one of the better wing defenders in the NBA. At 6’9, Covington is long, which makes him a switchable player in pick and roll situations, he is a very versatile defender.

Covington has also turned himself into a reliable 3-point shooter, shooting 36% for his career. Covington’s value would especially be huge in the playoffs for Denver with the amount of elite level wing-scorers in the western conference. Covington would be brought in to guard guys like LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Covington wouldn’t completely shut those players down, but he is a big body that can help slow them down.

The Nuggets are currently starting Will Barton III at the small-forward position. Barton III, is only 6’6 in height and is better suited for the shooting-guard position. Covington on the hand is nearly 6’9 with a lot of length. At 15-33, the Timberwolves have the second worst record in the conference. The Timberwolves should be looking to sell some of their valuable pieces, with Covington being the most prominent.

Jrue Holiday

Jrue Holiday has been the most rumored trade target for the Denver Nuggets this season. Holiday at 6’3 is a combo guard that would upgrade the backcourt talent in Denver.

Holiday is a physical player that will challenge the opposition on defense. Jrue Holiday would fit Michael Malone’s style of play perfectly being a tough minded, no non-sense type of player. Holiday is averaging 20-points per game this season and nearly seven assists. The All-star caliber player would be an immediate upgrade to the Nuggets and could vault them over teams like the Jazz and Rockets during the postseason. Holiday is also a proven playoff performer which is something the Nuggets could definitely use. Holiday’s playoff ability was on full display during the Pelicans 2017-18 playoff run when Holiday averaged 23-points per game on 52% shooting. Holiday out-performed Cj McCollum and Damian Lillard that entire series as the Pelicans swept the Blazers.

Holiday can opt out of his deal in 2021 which would give him this season and next under the Nuggets team control.

Davis Bertans

It’s clear the Nuggets need perimeter shooting and Davis Bertans could be the best on the market. Bertans was actually a steal for Washington in a trade with San Antonio last summer. Bertans is averaging 15-points per game, including 42% from three point range on eight attempts per game. Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard has publicly stated he isn’t interested in trading Bertans, but pressure from other teams to make a deal could force Sheppard’s hand who could lose Bertans in unrestricted free agency this summer. Davis Bertans is a 27-year old sharp shooter in his fourth NBA season. There are multiple teams interested in Bertans so it’ll be interesting to see if Tommy Sheppard pulls the trigger.