Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone dismissed trade rumors involving Wilson Chandler and Emmanuel Mudiay, saying that recent reports about the players are “a lot of noise.”
Malone addressed reporters after Friday’s shootaround, less than a day after USA Today reported that Chandler is unhappy with his role on the Nuggets and wants to be traded.
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“I dismiss the report as BS, if you will — which you get a lot of this time of year,” Malone said. “Obviously, Wilson can answer that himself when the time comes. But I’ve never heard anything close to that from Wilson.”
Citing multiple sources, USA Today reported Thursday that Chandler has not formally requested a trade but wants to be dealt because of his inconsistent role. The 10-year veteran is averaging 15.4 points and is playing 30.2 minutes per game, but he has been juggled back and forth between Denver’s starting lineup and bench throughout the season.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of noise,” Malone said. “Not just Wilson — different things this time of year for all NBA teams. The trade deadline is right around the corner. I think agents are behind a lot of that stuff, but Wilson has never said anything close to that.
“I laugh at that report, because Wilson Chandler is having a career year. So if a guy is not happy with his role when he’s having a career year, that doesn’t add up to me.”
Malone also disputed a report by ESPN’s Zach Lowe, who wrote in a column published Thursday that the Nuggets were exploring possible trades involving Mudiay, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2015 draft.
Malone said Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly reached out to Mudiay and told the young point guard not to “believe any of this stuff.”
“Emmanuel’s a big part of our future,” Malone said. “Tim Connelly’s not actively shopping Emmanuel Mudiay. That’s just not accurate, it’s not fair, and Emmanuel knows that.”
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