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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Wilson Chandler

A source familiar with the Knicks’ thinking said it is “possible” the Knicks would have interest in signing Kenyon Martin later in the season if they need a jolt up front and they will pocket their $2.5 million exception.

A source said the 33-year-old former Nets star would be amenable to joining the Knicks.

Another Chinese league player of interest also would be ex-Knick Wilson Chandler, who still is playing in Asia and also would not be eligible until March.

Multiple sources said Chandler would love a return to the Knicks, who reluctantly traded him to Denver in the Carmelo Anthony deal last February.

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Many players were reluctant to sign in China after a rule was established that there would be no provision to allow them to opt out if the NBA lockout was resolved.

Kenyon Martin

Kenyon Martin, Wilson Chandler and J.R. Smith are amongst the players who signed in China and there appears to be no willingness on the part of their teams to release them from their contact, according to sources.

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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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Wilson Chandler said he has signed a contract with the Zhejiang Guangsha of the Chinese Basketball Association, a move that would essentially preclude him from participating in the 2011-12 NBA season if the lockout ends and the games begin.

Wilson Chandler

The Chinese Basketball Association will not allow players with existing contracts to sign with its teams, so playing in China is only an option for free agents such as Chandler, a restricted free agent who finished the 2010-11 season with the Denver Nuggets.

In addition, the CBA will not allow escape clauses that would allow players to leave the Chinese league in the event the NBA resumes operations. So Chandler would not be a part of the NBA if the season begins on time or even with an abbreviated schedule starting in January or February.

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Wilson Chandler

Wilson Chandler has agreed to a contract with Olimpia Milano, according to sources.

The deal will run until at least the end of the Euroleague first stage when both parties will reevaluate the situation considering where the NBA is at with its lockout.

Chandler, who is a restricted free agent, will make approximately $500,000.

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The top plays, images, interviews, and celebrations from the first round playoff series between the Thunder and Nuggets.

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Wilson Chandler

According to sources, the New York Knicks are interested in bringing back Wilson Chandler.

Chandler, who got traded to Denver in the Carmelo Anthony trade, will be a restricted free agent, and a source said he would love to return to the Knicks. And the Knicks would love to have him back as Mike D’Antoni believes he is the perfect versatile fit for his system.

Chandler’s new agent is Happy Walters, who also represents Amare Stoudemire and Knicks surprise reserve standout Shawne Williams, also a free agent whom the Knicks would like to bring back.

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The Knicks might not be done dealing. Team president Donnie Walsh said he will continue to seek a center through a trade before Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline, though he was not optimistic he would be successful.

Mike D'Antoni

“We think we moved the rock ahead a little bit, but let’s don’t get carried away and think now we’re challenging Miami, Boston and all these teams. We’re just not there yet,” said Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni, noting the Knicks’ biggest needs are size and shooting to replace the departed Timofey Mozgov, Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler.

D’Antoni said Ronny Turiaf would be his center in a starting lineup that will include Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, Landry Fields and Chauncey Billups.

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The New York Knicks have acquired Carmelo Anthony, league sources told ESPN The Magazine senior writer Chris Broussard on Monday night.

Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony

The swap is a three-way deal including Minnesota, a league source told Broussard.

The deal would end the season-long trade saga involving Denver’s All-Star forward and send him to his desired destination. If it goes through, it puts Anthony alongside Amare Stoudemire in a potentially explosive frontcourt — at a heavy cost to the Knicks.

As a part of the deal, the Knicks will send Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov and a 2014 first-round draft pick to the Nuggets, who would get additional picks and cash, the sources said. Along with Anthony, New York would acquire Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman.

New York will send Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry to Minnesota as part of the deal in exchange for Corey Brewer.

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