NBA Rumors: Toronto Raptors Interested In Kenneth Faried
By Andrew Dill
Jan 31, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) with the ball during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Report: Raptors Latest Team Interested In Faried
The Toronto Raptors are the latest team to express interest in Denver’s 24-year-old power forward Kenneth Faried. Faried has also received interest from the New York Knicks but talks have stalled as of late. According to Alex Kennedy, Senior NBA Editor on Basketball Insiders, The Raptors have expressed interest in acquiring Faried before Thursday’s trade deadline.
This speculation is interesting due to the fact that now Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri was the guy who selected Kenneth Faried in the first-round of the 2011 NBA Draft. Faried has been a disappointment this season under rookie head coach Brian Shaw — on both ends of the court. Faried is averaging 10.4 points per game, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game while allowing the opposing power forward to dominate him game in and game out.
Faried is a high-energy, high-motor player but Denver’s run-and-gun days under George Karl has turned into a half-court offense under Brian Shaw. Personally, Faried hasn’t shown any signs of developing his jump-shot or post game — which the Nuggets need in order to be successful in this kind of offense. A trade of Faried makes sense due to the fact they have J.J. Hickson and Darrell Arthur at the power forward position under contract for the next couple of years.
As for what the trade might consist for Faried is unknown at the time. If this trade does in fact get into serious talks, Denver could be interest in Raptors shooting guard Terrence Ross or point guard Kyle Lowry. Maybe Amir Johnson would be a player involved in the deal as Denver could possibly throw disgruntled point guard Andre Miller into the deal.
It will be an interesting couple of days over at the Denver Nuggets headquarters, but by the end of the day I believe they will make some kind of trade involving Andre Miller.