Breaking Down the Chucky Atkins Trade
First, the particulars: OKC gets 10-year veteran point guard Chucky Atkins, a 2009 first-round draft pick and cash from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for reserve center Johan Petro and a 2009 second-round draft pick.
Why it makes sense for the Thunder: For starters, the first-round draft pick potentially gives the team three in this year’s draft — its own (which at this rate has the best chance to be the No. 1 pick and will be no worse than fourth overall), San Antonio’s and Denver’s if the Nuggets make the playoffs. Atkins also gives the Thunder a solid veteran point guard who can lead the team when called upon and mentor rookie Russell Westbrook every day in practice. The deal also balances the roster, adding a third point guard and helping to clear up a frontcourt that became even more bloated with the arrival of Nenad Krstic.
Why it makes sense for Denver: The Nuggets were primarily looking to get under the salary cap’s tax threshold, which was set at $71.15 million for this season. This was the final deal in a series of maneuvers the Nuggets have made to ensure they finish the season under that figure. By doing so, the Nuggets not only will avoid a dollar fee for each dollar they exceeded that mark, but they also become eligible to now receive a share of the league’s tax revenue by getting under the threshold. Denver also added a serviceable center to its shallow frontcourt rotation of Nene Hilario, Kenyon Martin and Chris Andersen. Because of the cap relief, the move makes it possible for Denver to possibly make another trade or two before the Feb. 19 deadline as well.
What it means for the Thunder’s roster: Not much. Not immediately anyway. From the moment the deal went public, fans assumed (or perhaps prayed) backup point guard Earl Watson would be the next one on a one-way flight out of OKC. Not so fast. It’s not so easy to trade a reserve guard who’s carrying a $6.2 million contract this season and a $6.6 million price tag next year. The Thunder’s front office is certainly working on finding Watson a new home, but it has to be the right deal and that deal might not come until closer to the deadline. Until then, look for Watson to continue serving as Westbrook’s backup and Atkins to see spot minutes as the third string. But don’t be surprised if Brooks uses all three in a mix-and-match method, playing Atkins at point and Westbrook at shooting guard or trotting out Watson and Atkins in the same lineup or Watson and Westbrook, which he has done throughout the season. Minutes for rookie guard Kyle Weaver just became harder to come by. But the goal this season is to evaluate and develop talent so at some point Weaver likely will get whatever minutes Atkins might take from him in the short term.
What does Atkins bring: Aside from the aforementioned experience and veteran leadership, he’s regarded as a legit 3-point shooting threat. Atkins undoubtedly will be used in late-game situations as another weapon who can knock down a critical shot. He’s a career 36.8 percent shooter from behind the 3-point line and made 306 3s two seasons ago in Memphis when he averaged 13.2 points and 4.6 assists in 75 games with the Grizzlies. He holds career averages of 10.4 points, 3.6 assists and 1.8 rebounds and enjoyed a career year in 2004-05 with the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 13.6 points, 4.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds while starting all 82 games. (That was the one year the Lakers didn’t make the playoffs in the past 14 seasons after finishing 34-48.)
What to know about Atkins: Full name is Kenneth Lavon Atkins…He’s a fan of the Dallas Cowboys…Went undrafted out of South Florida…Started pro career with the LaCrosse Bobcats of the former Continental Basketball Association in LaCrosse, Wisc. 1996…Played for Cibona Zagreb in Zagreb, Croatia from 1997-999 before beginning his NBA career with Orlando in 1999…Has been traded five times in his career…Recorded a career-high 36 points against Miami on March 2, 2001…Dished a career-high 16 assists against Minnesota on April 18, 2007.
I spoke with Atkins shortly after the trade. He’s scheduled to arrive in OKC Thursday, take his required physical and be ready to play Friday against Houston. Here’s some of what he had to say….
On his knee injury, which required arthroscopic knee surgery just before the start of training camp and sidelined him for the first 10 games: “The knee is fine. I have no problem in it. It was a situation where it was sort of like a freak accident. I don’t even know how I got hurt. I got on the plane to come back here to Denver and my knee swelled up on me really bad. I had been feeling little aches and pains but I just thought that that was a situation with me playing every day that it would just go away. But when I got on the plane to come back it swelled up on me really bad and there was nothing that I could do about it.”
On Oklahoma City: “I don’t know much about the city of Oklahoma City. I just know when we would get to the arena how the people would come out and support the team. I like that. I played there when the Hornets were there and we were always talking about how this was one of the hardest places to win a game at. Regardless of how good or how bad the Hornets were at the time. It’s tough to win games in a hostile environment when the crowd comes out like that. Obviously it makes you as a home player play harder and gives you that much more energy.”
On the Thunder: “Watching the game (from the bench last Friday) I was just like, ‘Wow. These young boys are really, really good.’ When you hear about a team who’s 4-30 and you haven’t really seen them or actually watched them physically play, you go in thinking, ‘We got these young guys from Oklahoma and they’re going to come in and give us the game because their record is so bad.’
“But when we got there and started playing I was like they’re not far from being good. It’s just at this particular time I’m stepping into a situation where they’re already (5-31). But ultimately, with a little more leadership and some guys that know how to win games and put guys in spots late in games, they could have very well won half of those games and be sitting at .500. because they’re in every game.
On Russell Westbrook: “If he’s a guy who wants to be one of the best, I’m sure he’s hungry for basketball knowledge. I’m not going to come in there and be like, ‘This is what you need to do.’ I’m just going to talk to him about different situations and see how he feels about it. From watching him, you can tell that he needs that. In the game we played them, they were up 15, 16 points and he had two or three turnovers trying to make risky plays in situations in the fourth quarter where you want to get your team the best possible shot every possession.”
-DM-
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Nice write up DM… He might be a nice addition for the rest of the year… His value being veteran leadership.