NBA News for February 9: Trade rumors edition featuring Bledsoe, Mozgov, Humphries, and more

“The Nuggets are in fourth place in the Western Conference, and rising. Their inexperienced players – most notably Kenneth Faried – are improving at a steady rate. There aren’t many expiring contracts to take advantage of, though Timofey Mozgov and Corey Brewer both fit the bill there. Brewer has expressed his desire to stay while Mozgov expressed his desire to play anywhere. And while Mozgov has been one of the most inquired-about Nuggets, there remains huge question marks as to whether the team will deal anyone at all. Karl emphasized that point after today’s shootaround at Quicken Loans Arena. ‘(Nuggets general manager) Masai (Ujiri) and I have had one conversation about what’s going on in the trade world,’ Karl said. ‘I’m really very happy with the team. Masai, it’s his job to figure out what makes us better and bring that to us. Right now, I don’t think there’s a lot of urgency for me to think about it very much. I used to read HoopsHype this time of year. I don’t even read HoopsHype anymore. I just look at some stats and some scheduling stuff.’ “

Shaun Powell of Sports on Earth has an incredible piece up on Tony Allen. Here’s an excerpt, but don’t let that be all you read, because it’s totally worth your time: “He gets assigned to sharpshooters, slashers, post-up guys, three-point specialists and quick dribblers and asked to keep them all in check. There are no nights off from defense for Allen, no breathers. Every team brings a guard or small forward who knows how to score and sometimes Allen will even find himself dealing with power forwards and point guards to bail out teammates who can’t handle them. ‘He reminds me at times of a free safety in football,’ said Chris Wallace, the Grizzlies’ general manager, ‘with his ability to zero in and focus on the ball. He’s all about getting the ball back.’ Here’s what else sets him apart: Allen owns an extensive video library with footage of almost every guard and small forward and watches it constantly. He calls it “going to the movies” and it’s a pregame ritual. ‘If you check, my fingerprints might be on every player in the league,’ he says.”

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Dan Malone is a third-year journalism student at the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He blogs, edits and learns things on the fly for Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on Twitter.