Typically, a team that is eight games over .500 and is the most efficient offensive team in the NBA wouldn't be on the precipice of a complete rebuild. Teams with a former Finals MVP at point guard, an outstanding scoring big, instant offense at shooting guard off the bench and one of the best two or three individual scorers in the game don't customarily detour in this way.

The Cavaliers, for example, knew that there was at least a modest chance that LeBron James would leave in free agency, but not a single trade offer was entertained.

Denver doesn't have the best record in the NBA like Cleveland did in each of the past two seasons, but the Western Conference is unquestionably winnable.

Assuming the Nuggets decide to give it one more puncher's chance with Carmelo Anthony, let's look at how they can improve their team at the deadline.

George Karl has offense to spare, doing nearly everything well. Anthony can create buckets in the fourth quarter, while Nene has been one of the best offensive bigs in the NBA this season. The Nuggets score efficiently in ISOs, in the post, from distance, on the pick and roll and in transition (especially in the thin air). The Nuggets do a good job in controlling pace, playing quickly, while also drawing fouls effectively.

Denver's defense is decidedly below average, which is a bad indicator historically for teams hoping to advance deep into the playoffs. No matter what the offensive strength of their opponent might be, they have a vulnerability that can be attacked. The makeup of the club, however, suggests an ability to elevate defensive intensity circumstantially.

Their use of the MLE to sign Al Harrington was designed to demonstrate to Carmelo their commitment to competing this season, but it did nothing to address their need of improving frontcourt defense.

Desperation Meter: The Nuggets are in an endless Mick Jones loop of 'Should I Stay or Should I Go' and there is no easy solution to their quandary, but giving up on one final playoff run to trade Anthony for anything less than 75 cents on the dollar makes little sense. Presumably sign-and-trade rules will still be in effect on some level during the next CBA, so they should at least recoup one or two assets from the Knicks in the same way Cleveland and Toronto did with LeBron James and Chris Bosh left.

A trade involving an aging veteran on a bad contract (i.e. Antawn Jamison) would be ill-advised, but turning a relative spare part like J.R. Smith into interior defense is an attainable goal to bolster the final Anthony weeks.

• Click here for the latest trade deadline rumors.