Wilson Chandler
Nuggets executive Masai Ujiri keeps tinkering with the roster as the playoffs draw near, trying to find just the right mix for coach George Karl.
Ujiri dealt away big man Nene at the trade deadline to free up money, presumably to help pull off this move: Agreeing to a five-year deal Sunday with versatile forward Wilson Chandler that’s worth nearly $37 million.
Chandler has been itching to hoist up jumpers again in the NBA, even showing up to a Nuggets game last month where he received a rowdy round of applause from the Pepsi Center crowd and casually chatted with teammates in the locker room after the contest.
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JaVale McGee
The Clippers have acquired Nick Young from Washington in a three-way trade, according to a source.
Washington will acquire Nene, while JaVale McGee goes to the Nuggets.
Brian Cook and a pick will be sent out by the Clippers.
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Denver Nuggets leading scorer Danilo Gallinari will be lost indefinitely after breaking his left foot.
Danilo Gallinari
Gallinari hobbled out of the arena on crutches and wearing a walking boot after injuring the foot in the third quarter of Monday’s 99-90 loss to the Houston Rockets.
X-rays revealed a chip fracture in the foot and additional tests will be performed Tuesday.
“I’m not happy it happened to me,” Gallinari said. “I wanted to play (after the injury) and I wanted to win this game more than anything. I’ll be out I don’t know how long.”
Yahoo Sports
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Danilo Gallinari
Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari rejoined his former Italian team Olimpia Milano on Tuesday, agreeing to play until the NBA lockout ends.
“I’m happy for the opportunity that Olimpia offered me to get back on the court with the team that I had some unforgettable experiences with,” the former Knicks forward said.
Olimpia’s new coach is Sergio Scariolo, who guided Spain to the European Championship title Sunday in Lithuania. Along with fellow NBA players Andrea Bargnani and Marco Belinelli, Gallinari was on the Italy squad that failed to advance to the second round.
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The Denver Nuggets’ options could be limited if there is an NBA season.
Kenyon Martin
Three of their free agents have decided to play in China — Kenyon Martin became the third on Wednesday — and two starters are taking their games to Europe.
And while Ty Lawson and Danilo Gallinari can return if there indeed is a 2011-12 season, Martin will not be able to leave his Chinese Basketball Association squad until the season ends in March.
J.R. Smith and Wilson Chandler have also elected to play in China, which will not allow NBA players to opt out of their one-year contracts should the lockout end.
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J.R. Smith is close to agreeing to the richest contract in the history of the Chinese Basketball Association, according to sources.
J.R. Smith
Smith would make more than $3 million to play with Shanxi for the 11-12 season. Smith would be unable to be an unrestricted free agent in the NBA.
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Ty Lawson
Ty Lawson will be joining Zalgiris Kaunas for the 11-12 season, with an out for the end of the NBA lockout.
Lawson will join Sonny Weems on the club.
According to sources, the deal will be worth at least $1 million.
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BC Khimki Moscow Region brought a familiar face back and announced a new player with the signing of Timofey Mozgov and Chris Quinn.
Timofey Mozgov
Last season Mozgov played for New York and Denver in the NBA, where he amassed 3.6 points and 2.7 rebounds over 45 games. Mozgov grew up with LenVo St. Petersburg and also played for CSK VVS-2 Samara before joining Khimki for the first time.
During his time with Khimki he helped the team reach the 2009 Eurocup title game and qualify for the Euroleague for the first time. He has also developed into a regular for the Russian national team, for whom he played at EuroBasket 2009 and at the FIBA World Championships last summer.
Inside Hoops
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Nene Hilario
Nene will opt out of the final year of his contract worth nearly $12 million and, as a result, become an unrestricted free agent, a source familiar with the situation said Wednesday night.
It means Nene can sign with any team he wishes without the Nuggets getting a chance to match the offer when free agency begins after the expected NBA lockout, which likely will start Friday.
Nene had until today to make a final decision. The Nuggets tried to sign him to a contract extension before today, the last day of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, but to no avail.
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The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired guard Raymond Felton from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for guard Andre Miller, while sending Rudy Fernandez and Petteri Koponen’s NBA rights to Dallas as part of a three-team trade.
Raymond Felton
Portland also acquired the draft rights to Jordan Hamilton (taken 26th overall) and Tanguy Ngombo (taken 57th overall) from Dallas for Fernandez and Koponen.
Hamilton’s rights were then sent to Denver as part of the Felton trade and Portland is currently in discussions to trade Ngombo’s rights.
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