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Atkins likely to sign today with Nuggets

Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News

Published July 13, 2007 at midnight

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Heading into the offseason, the Nuggets were in search of veteran leadership, someone capable of playing point guard and a decent outside shooter.

Chucky Atkins provided one- stop shopping.

Atkins, a point guard with eight years of NBA experience, said Thursday night he will be in Denver today to sign a multiyear contract with the Nuggets.

"Pretty much a done deal," Atkins said. "I'm very excited. Very happy. For one, just to be off the (free- agent) market. Secondly, to be going to play for a very talented team that has a chance to win it all."

Atkins, who will turn 33 on Aug. 14, enjoyed one of his best statistical seasons in 2006-07, averaging 13.2 points and 4.6 assists in 75 games with the Memphis Grizzlies.

For his career, he has averaged 10.8 points and 3.7 assists and is a 37 percent three-point shooter.

His shooting ability was a strong selling point for a Nuggets team that was 28th in the league from behind the arc last season.

"I just want to ease the double- and triple-teaming of Carmelo (Anthony) and Allen (Iverson)," Atkins said. "I think we can make some things happen."

Atkins' pending arrival means point guard Steve Blake is unlikely to return to the Nuggets.

Blake started 40 of 49 games and averaged 8.3 points and 6.6 assists after being acquired in a trade with Milwaukee on Jan. 11.

Seeking a significant raise from $1.33 million, he might have been too expensive for the Nuggets' taste.

The Nuggets were more than $12 million over the $67.87 million luxury tax threshold heading into the free-agent signing period. They can lower the dollar-for-dollar tax burden through trades between now and the end of next season.

Atkins' contract is expected to include a two-year guarantee, with a third-year option and an annual salary of about $3 million.

For now, Atkins will be penciled in alongside Iverson as he joins his seventh NBA team. The last time he was a full-time starter was in 2004-05, when he averaged a career-best 13.6 points and 4.4 assists for the Lakers.