Goodbye, Chucky. Hello...Johan?...

by Andrew Feinstein on Jan 7, 2009 5:26 PM MST

I don't remember where (maybe it was a commenter), but I read someplace that the Nuggets were looking to make a "Pau Gasol-type deal" by giving up an expiring salary and their first round draft pick for a big man. Well, my friends, Johan Petro is no Pau Gasol. And all I can think right now is...this is the big man we've been holding our breath for?

I guess the Nuggets couldn't pursuade OKC to give up Chris Wilcox for Chucky Atkins, Steven Hunter and their 2009 first round pick. Or the Knicks to do the same for David Lee. Now those would have been good trades. I'm just going to assume they at least tried.

I'm not going to make too big a fuss over what will be an inconsequential trade in the long run, and I understand the Nuggets desire to get under the NBA's luxury tax threshold. But readers of this blog know there are two things I really don't like: throwing away first round picks and seven-footers who don't shoot at least 50% from the field. Just look at the current state of the Phoenix Suns (or even deep into the Nuggets bench, for that matter) as an example of why you don't throw away first rounders.

Contrary to what many basketball pundits think, latter first round picks don't cost that much and smart teams can find a lot of value if they know how to draft. I'll stand by my statement from this past summer that giving away first round picks is lazy, not strategic (unless you're getting someone like Pau Gasol in the deal, which the Nuggets certainly aren't).

With that said, I wish Chucky all the best in OKC. Sincerely. I was really hard on Chucky last season and have never been a fan of his game (and I've still never seen him make a jump shot). But he was a class act during his entire tenure in Denver even though it must have been a very frustrating situation for him.

As for Mr. Petro, while we welcome you to Denver I'm praying even harder now that neither Kenyon Martin, Nene or Chris Andersen get hurt. No offense, but you're not exactly the insurance policy we were looking for.

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I think it's a stroke of a genius. Petro has never been an integral part of the Sonics/ Thunder's offense.

He was essentially told that if he wants to score, he has to do it off offensive rebounds. His main duty is to rebound and block shots.

But what I saw of him is a big who has soft touch around the rim and can even shoot mid range. He can knock down free throws.

I think sooner or later our guys will find out he can score and find him... we have an unselfish system and group of guys. Billups feeding him and Nene finding him, he can have a career here.

I really think we might have ourselves a steal.

- Snake -

by Anonymous on Jan 7, 2009 6:23 PM MST reply actions

I like the trade... if i was a straight swap.
What is the deal including all these 1st round picks? Although, now that I think about it. Picks generally need to be taught by coaches. Not the Nuggets strong point.

I would take Petro as a backup over a rehash signing like Elson.
Going by what I have seen of him, Petro is a decent rebounder & shotbocker and can hit a 15 footer. Rarely does he accomplish anything inside (hence the low shooting %'s). But for a big mobile body who is good on the Offensive Glass, he is not a bad pickup.
Also, he is not a jerk off like Wilcox.

by CB on Jan 7, 2009 6:24 PM MST reply actions

"I'll stand by my statement from this past summer that giving away first round picks is lazy"

Believe it or not, but the 33rd pick is actually better than the 21st pick. You avoid the first round guarantee that way.

Pour a little bit from your forty for Chucky. Good dude. Better baller than you ever knew.

by Petey on Jan 7, 2009 6:59 PM MST reply actions

And next year draft class is weak anyway... there's no difference between a 24th pick and a 31st pick. :)

- Snake -

by Anonymous on Jan 7, 2009 7:03 PM MST reply actions

Watchin the game here and boy... does Jones suuuuuuuuck! I hope we don't have an injury that forces more minutes on him now that Chucky's gone.

I like the notion that Snake brought up about being a defender and board cleaner. We can use that and Karl is going to have to adjust his gameplan (no don't laugh at me saying that! LOL) now that Melo is out and we're a pretty defensive minded team all the sudden.

Also agree that this'll be a weak draft and we might be getting the first pick in the 2nd round vs. what? The 26th in the first? I'm good with that.

by ERic K on Jan 7, 2009 7:31 PM MST reply actions

This bumbs me out. Why do we continue to get all this hype then a weak deal like this goes through. The few times I have seen Petro I have actually been kind of impressed, still I would have much rather have had Lee.

by Goldennugget on Jan 7, 2009 7:49 PM MST reply actions

This trade it's never gonna be bad, because Atkins didn't even play, so I like it, Petro will add something to the team.

by Lucas Navarrete on Jan 7, 2009 8:29 PM MST reply actions

I love the trade. Giving up LK at this point could be disastrous given Melo's injury. Assuming they couldn't get a better player for Balkman, getting something for Chucky is better than nothing. The pick swap will only end up being a few slots, and they won't have to sign him for a 3 year 1st round deal. Makes a lot of sense to me.

by Raymond on Jan 7, 2009 9:58 PM MST reply actions

Well Andrew, you can move the Kroenke Cronies from your stiff list, or change the reason they are up there, because we got our big man. And no I am not one of them. By the way, remember when you had K-Mart on there because he had to shoulder more of the load on defense, and for his max contract, couldn't find a mid range jumper? Well, Chauncey changed that in my opinion, that and the fact that K-Mart is a captain. He hit 2-2 3 pointers today and he's being doing pretty good lately on that perspective. Not to mention, he is possibly the best all around defending 4-man in the league.

by Jack on Jan 7, 2009 10:26 PM MST reply actions

Its a good deal, at first you think the first rounder is a mistak, but we are really only dropping probably around 7 spots and getting the small contract like everyone has already said. Besides we need a body to eat minutes and boards, not a aging pg with no jumper. It works out, I think we all wanted David Lee and I'm sure the Kronies threw a similar deal, minus the secound rounder back, at the Knicks and were probably laughed at.

by Zachm219 on Jan 7, 2009 10:29 PM MST reply actions

I liked Jones better when he was called Diawara. No, I take that back...but still.

Petro is really a non-factor, they still need a better big to compete w/ the top teams in the west and east in a long series.

by Anonymous on Jan 7, 2009 10:31 PM MST reply actions

I'll say this: I thought Chris Anderson was going to be a bust for this team and he is actually putting in increasingly productive minutes. Let's hope the same for Petro.

by JTR on Jan 8, 2009 7:00 AM MST reply actions

Anonymous said...Petro is really a non-factor, they still need a better big to compete w/ the top teams in the west and east in a long series.

I wouldn't say a non factor. Nene can compete with most of the bigs in the league. The only problem is that his back up Birdman cannot. He's too wirey and kinda gets pushed around in a physical game. Adding someone of decent size to, grab some boards, and take a few fouls for Nene isn't a bad idea. Nene seems to end up in foul trouble often because most teams in the west will have a true center and a center sized PF.

Good trade over all though. We just didn't need that many PG's on the bench.

by joelsopinion on Jan 8, 2009 8:22 AM MST reply actions

before we thrash this guy, we need to take in to consideration "the assist."

i bet the nugget's assist is better than the thunder's assist. this guy did score 15 before, and bet with cb, carter, and jr moving the ball around, petro will be a better player. i would like to believe that our organization (coaching) is stronger than the thunder's.

i think maybe, just maybe, we should the guy unpack before we start in on him.

by Anonymous on Jan 8, 2009 8:47 AM MST reply actions

The draft picks aren't that big a deal. With the record the Nuggs and Sonics have, those two picks won't be more than five or so spots apart.

by Kieran on Jan 8, 2009 2:47 PM MST reply actions

Why would you complain about trading a lottery protected 1st rounder for what is currently the front runner to be the first pick of round 2. If the unspeakable happens, the Nuggets keep the pick. Otherwise, they move back a few spots and save some money. Back end first rounders may not be very expensive, but you still have to guarantee the first two years. Second rounders are guaranteed nothing.

by Chris on Jan 9, 2009 1:04 PM MST reply actions

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STIFF LIST (as of 4/26 by Andrew Feinstein)

1. METTA WORLD PEACE

Metta resorted back to Ron Ron last Sunday by clubbing James Hardenwith an "inadvertent celebratory elbow", landing him a 7-game suspension. Apparently, changing his name didn't prevent NBA commissioner David Stern from overlooking Metta's past behavior problems.

2. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

The 'Cats are on the verge of securing the worst winning percentage in NBA history. Given that the guy who runs the team - Michael Jordan - had previously drafted Kwame Brown and Adam Morrison, should this really be a shock?

3. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The team that was supposedly built to overcome the lockout-shortened season managed to lose 7 of its last 14 games, ceding the Western Conference's 1-seed to the Spurs in the process. Their reward might be a first round matchup with defending champion Dallas.

4. BILLY HUNTER AND DEREK FISHER

With report after report coming out about NBPA union head Hunter's shady, nepotistic dealings and questions arising about Fisher's own role in dealing with NBA owners behind Hunter's back during the lockout, this off-the-court scandal could prove to be more exciting than the playoffs themselves!

5. STEVE NASH AND THE PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns are on this list for squandering the last few great seasons from Nash. Nash is on this list for his stupidly stubborn loyalty to a franchise as awful as the Suns.