Trade rumor: Oklahoma City Thunder Inquired Denver Nuggets Forward Wilson Chandler

According to Sports Illustrated, the Oklahoma City Thunder have made an inquiry about the availability of adding Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler.

"Teams continue to look at Denver as an appealing trade partner. The Cavs have been trying to acquire center Timofey Mozgov, and league sources said the Thunder have inquired about swingman Wilson Chandler."

Matt Moore at CBS Sports writes:

Chandler is averaging 14.7 points per game this season in just 30 minutes per contest, shooting 44 percent from the field and 38 percent from three. He'd be a perfect fit on the Thunder, able to play backup small forward and at power forward in small-ball lineups. He's versatile, a willing and capable defender, and is a low-maintenance teammate.

OKC would have to surrender future assets, namely picks, to get into talks, however, and may have to take back more salary in the form of J.J. Hickson or Nate Robinson. The Nuggets built this team to be deep, and are full-up at 15, so they can't take extra players back.

Why this trade makes sense

Wilson Chandler currently averages 14.7 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 44% from the floor and 38% from the 3-point line. Such a addition would boost the stability of the Thunder's bench by providing a proven scorer at the small forward position to back up Kevin Durant. Also, it might be the Thunder's chance to move players like Reggie Jackson and Perry Jones, whose future with the Thunder is uncertain.

Why this trade doesn't make sense

According to ESPN trade machine, the Thunder wouldn't be able to part with the kinds of pieces that Denver would want, so Jackson and Jones would be off the table. However, they could offer Kendrick Perkins, who is in the final season of his contract, which pays him nearly $10 million this season and would come off the books at the end of the year. If the Nuggets packaged in a player like Jusuf Nurkic, the numbers work.

With the Nuggets likely on the outside of the playoffs once again this season, should they begin to clear cap space for future acquisitions? Should the Thunder consider acquiring a backup for PG, knowing that they would be parting ways with one of their key leaders in Perk?