The Denver Nuggets and Washington Wizards are nearing a two-for-two trade that will also lead to one player involved in the deal making NBA history, according to reports.
Denver is nearing trading Monte Morris and Will Barton to Washington in deal for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2022
Deal is getting final approvals now, and expected to be completed soon, sources said. https://t.co/FNfcClRBUV
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022
Ish Smith is poised to become the most traveled player in NBA history when he joins Denver as his 13th team. https://t.co/0uHCvNSStc
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 29, 2022
While the reported deal is already generating headlines, it is not yet complete. "There's an expectation it's happening," however, according to Mike Singer of the Denver Post.
Morris has reportedly been a very hot commodity, as Singer further notes that "more than 20 teams" contacted Denver about the point guard. He also reports that if and when Caldwell-Pope lands with the Nuggets, the organization has interest in retaining the former NBA champion beyond next season, as "KCP" will hit free agency in 2023.
Barton and Morris finished third and fourth on the team in scoring last season at 14.7 and 12.6 points per game respectively, Morris was second in assists (4.4) and Barton was third (3.9) and they both shot over 40 percent from the field, over 35 percent from three-point range and over 80 percent from the free throw line. Morris' scoring, assist numbers and minutes per contest (29.9) were all career highs.
After four seasons with the Detroit Pistons and four with the Los Angeles Lakers to begin his career Caldwell-Pope spent last year with the Wizards averaging 13.2 points and shooting 39.0 percent from three-point land. Smith split last season between Washington and the Charlotte Hornets, averaging 6.3 points and 3.8 assists off the bench in 65 games.
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