Hooped Up

The up and coming Nuggets finally added another big to their line up, after seldom used Chucky Atkins was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in return for Frenchman Johan Petro and the Thunder’s 2009 second-round pick. The addition of Petro will help the Nuggets significantly against the likes of front court stacked teams in the West such as the Suns, Blazers and Lakers.

During his time with the Thunder, Petro had averages of 4.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game and led the Thunder in the preseason with 8.0 rebounds per game.

Via Denver Post

The Orlando Magic would like to once again go on the Chucky Atkins diet they were on in the 1999 – 2000 season, because they like bacon and depth at the point guard position. Just think of the playoffs as a pair of jeans they despreatly want to fit into by May.

“The Orlando Magic have held trade discussions with the Denver Nuggets about Chucky Atkins, but such a deal for the former Magic point guard could fail to materialize as Orlando pursues other options, general manager Otis Smith told Florida Today. The Magic are playing with just two point guards this season after losing Mike Wilks to a serious knee injury during the preseason. And the Magic were down to just one point guard recently when starter Jameer Nelson suffered a hip injury.”

Florida Today

Jamaal Tinsley has a locker and nameplate of his very own, but its in Denver and its about time. If this Tinsley thing dragged on any longer Larry Bird would have started with the crank calls in the middle of the night and sending 20 pizzas to Tinsleys house with double anchovies.

“Locked-out Pacers point Jamaal Tinsley was traded to the Nuggetsfor Chuckie Atkins and Stephen Hunter, The Post has learned. The deal is contingent on Tinsley passing a physical. Chronically injured over the last four years (only once playing more than 42 games) and embroiled in violent encounters on three separate occasions (none of which he instigated), he spent all summer in Atlanta rehabbing his body and is said to be a great condition. Denver assumes his $21M, 3-year debt. Atkins is due $3.24M and $3.48M while Hunter is guaranteed $3.86M and $3.69M. Less than half of their total salary remaining is guaranteed.”

New York Post

Chucky Atkins will miss all of training camp, due to knee injury. 

“The Nuggets’ Chucky Atkins will begin this season just like last season: rehabbing an injury instead of playing. Atkins, who is projected to be the team’s starting point guard, underwent surgery Wednesday on torn meniscus in his right knee, six days before training camp begins. Nuggets coach George Karl said he does not expect to see Atkins before the season begins. “I don’t think he’ll get any training camp in,” Karl said. According to the team, Atkins started feeling pain about two weeks ago during pickup games. Surgery was decided after an MRI on Monday. He is expected to miss six weeks.”

Denver Post