Photo by Caleb Long
The Denver Nuggets have traded guard Chucky Atkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for center Johan Petro. Included in the trade is also Denver’s first-round pick in the 2009 draft to Oklahoma for Thunder’s second-round pick.
“I think that I deserve to play some, and obviously if they’re making a trade for me, then they plan on using me,” Atkins said this afternoon. “The thing that kind of hurts was that I never got an opportunity. Injuries can happen to anybody, and Anthony Carter stepped in and did what he was supposed to do to keep this team afloat. No hard feelings. That’s just the name of the game.”
Atkins has mostly been used as a reserve guard in Denver as a result of several injuries that have limited his minutes on the floor. The trade also puts the Nuggets under the luxury-tax line of $71.15 million, after starting the summer close to $90 million.
“We appreciate everything that the Nuggets have done to work this deal,” said Atkins’ agent, Andy Miller. “It’s a win-win for both sides. For us, we look at it as an opportunity to get a fresh start and re-establish his identity. He really hasn’t had a chance to gain any rhythm since his injury. And the Nuggets, it’s an opportunity to get under the tax and be a playoff team.”