Nuggets Trade Atkins plus a Future 1st Round Pick

In their bid to rebuild the Denver Nuggets team, team owner Stanley Kroenke and coach George Karl made a deal Wednesday moving Chucky Atkins and a future 1st rounder to the Oklahoma City Thunders in exchange of Johan Petro and a second round pick this year. Johan Petro is a 7-foot center weighing 255 pounds.

It was said that center Nene was constantly asking for a big man for more inside presence and support. And there you have it, request granted. The move was sent because Karl was eyeing a playoff spot and wants to be ready when that time comes. So that someone could bang bodies with the heftier Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, or Yao Ming.

As for the Oklahoma City Thunders, it was a good rebuilding process to start too. As Chucky Atkins is one of the premier guards in the NBA averaging close to 11 points per ball game in his career. In addition, they will get a third first round pick this year. Last year, the Nuggets dumped defensive player Marcus Camby for no reason at all but the salary cap.

With the deal taking effect, it now put the Denver Nuggets under the $71.5 million dollar tax ceiling even if all players hit the bonus benchmark.