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Nuggets report: Atkins deal possible

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 11, 2008 at 11:25 p.m.

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He Said It

"The pendulum is probably we're not going to get anybody."

George Karl, Nuggets coach, on the prospects of the team signing a big man. A source Monday told the Rocky there aren't plans to re-sign Juwan Howard. Owner Stan Kroenke wants to get under the $71.15 million tax line, with the Nuggets now $900,000 over. Karl expressed some frustration at not getting his "request" to re-sign Howard, saying teams "make playoffs and you gain playoff position by one and two games almost every year."

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With the prospect of being the third point guard when he returns from Sept. 24 knee surgery, the Nuggets' Chucky Atkins knows he could be traded.

"I don't feel like I'm untouchable. They talked about it earlier about me possibly being moved," Atkins said of a discussed deal with Indiana for Jamaal Tinsley. "I can't sit here and say I'm not going to be traded."

Besides playing time, the Nuggets could deal Atkins, making $3.24 million this season and $3.48 million next ($760,000 guaranteed), to get under the luxury-tax threshold.

"I'm comfortable with this situation," he said. "Nobody wants to get traded. But given the right situation, of course, who wouldn't? But I'm not even thinking about that. The whole thing is just to get healthy."

Atkins said he's "feeling good." He anticipates having a full practice next week and "definitely" playing by month's end.

BRATZ ON BOARD

The Nuggets have hired longtime scout Mike Bratz as director of college scouting.

Bratz, an NBA guard from 1977 to 1986 and most recently a Milwaukee scout, was with Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien in Cleveland in 2004-05.

ETC.: Center Steven Hunter said his knee surgery, to be performed at Vail's Steadman-Hawkins Clinic, is Friday. "I'm going to use (Dr. Richard Steadman's) advice and try my best to come back and help the team," said Hunter, hopeful his condition won't be season- or career-ending. . . . Karl said rookie Sonny Weems, out because of a groin strain, still isn't close to returning and reiterated his next serious action could be with the NBA Development League's Colorado 14ers. . . . On the versatile Billups, Karl said, "There's only one other player I've ever coached that does everything as well as he does. That's Detlef Schrempf."

Comments

  • November 11, 2008

    11:50 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Highcountry writes:

    Chucky is a much better teammate than Tinsley. That's a bad trade idea. If the Nuggets are shopping Chucky, shouldn't they try to get a big man in return? Tinsley would be a mistake. We've got a great thing going now. Let's not screw it up.

  • November 11, 2008

    11:53 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Highcountry writes:

    Maybe they should waive Chucky and sign J. Howard.

  • November 12, 2008

    5:53 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ColoradoSportsFaninTexas writes:

    Who is to say at this point, that a healthy Atkins wouldnt be a better backup to Billups, than Carter??

    Atkins has the speed to be a good alternative to Billups...I think the Nugs would be wise to wait and see how it plays out when and if Atkins comes back at full strength.....

  • November 12, 2008

    7:34 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    The_KIMN_Chicken writes:

    Atkins has been a total bust since he got here last year. The guy can't stay off the injured list and losing him wouldn't be noticed.

  • November 12, 2008

    8:21 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    spd writes:

    um, they won't waive Atkins under any circumstances. since his contract is guaranteed, they'd have to pay off the entire thing, and have it count against the cap, if they waived him. this isn't the NFL here.

  • November 12, 2008

    2:03 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ccorrea writes:

    don't give up on Weems and Samb, Train coach and develop these guys and I think they will be great ! Nuggets
    has 14 on the Roster as of right now.Make moves on
    Hunter and Chucky for a good big man, Or
    a hot shooting Gaurd/ SF Mid range shooter.

    Get some more guys for the new coach ( Billup) to use !! haha

    GO NUGGETS !!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  • November 13, 2008

    1:43 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ramAZ writes:

    Atkins has been injured since he signed with Denver. Him and Hunter have been wasted roster spots. If they can move him... particularly for a forward... the should do it yesterday. Nobody is going to give up any sort of asset for someone who has been out for such an extended time. At least AC can stay off the Injured List