The Denver Nuggets traded a future first round pick to the Timberwolves for Ty Lawson. The 21-year old Lawson played in 105 games in three seasons for North Carolina and he averaged 13.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Lawson is a good shooter hitting 51.7% from the floor and 40.3% from three point range at N.C. Lawson will likely learn behind Chauncey Billups and eventually replace him down the road. This was a good move for the Nuggets.

The Nuggets have brought in forwards Ruben Patterson, Nick Fazekas and guards Mateen Cleaves and Smush Parker. Patterson will have the best chance to make the team. He is 33-years old and he can handle either the shooting guard or small forward positions. Patterson played in 20 games (5 starts) last season for the Clippers and he averaged 16.4 minutes, 5.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. Patterson has now played in 649 games (245 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 24.6 minutes, 10.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Patterson also is a unselfish player who only takes good shots as he has nailed 51.7% of his shots from the floor in his NBA career. 27-year old Smush Parker will try to battle Anthony Carter for the starting point guard position. He played in 28 games (2 starts) for the Clippers and Heat last season and he averaged 21.2 minutes, 5.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Parker has now played in 274 games (183 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 25.8 minutes, 9.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game. 23-year old forward Nick Fazekas showed that he has some game at the end of last season for the Clippers. He played in 26 games (0 starts) with the Mavericks & Clippers as a rookie last season and he averaged 10.3 minutes, 4.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. 31-year old Mateen Cleaves is a real longshot to make the Nuggets’ final roster as he hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2005-06 season with the Seattle Supersonics. Cleaves has played in 167 games (10 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 11.2 minutes, 3.6 points, 1.0 rebound and 1.9 assists per game. I have a feeling that two or three of these guys will play for the Nuggets and come off of the bench for them so these were nice signings for them.

The Nuggets have signed 35-year old Juwan Howard to a 1-year contract. Howard played in 50 games (0 starts) for the Mavericks last season and he averaged 7.1 minutes, 1.1 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. Howard appears to be at the end of the line but he will provide some depth along the front line for the Nuggets if he makes the team. Howard has now played in 1,001 games in his NBA career (869 starts) and he has averaged 33.7 minutes, 15.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

The Nuggets have acquired forward Renaldo Balkman and cash from the Knicks for guard Taurean Green, forward Bobby Jones and a future 2nd round pick. This was a steal for the Nuggets as Balkman should be able to give them good defense and rebounding off the bench in 2008-09. Balkman is 6′8″, 208 pounds so he’s more of a small forward size wise but he players with power. The 24-year old Balkman played in 65 games (0 starts) with the Knicks last season and he averaged 14.6 minutes, 3.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Balkman has now played in 133 games (1 start) in his NBA career and he has averaged 15.2 minutes, 4.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Balkman will give the Nuggets good minutes off the bench which could not be said about Taurean Green and Bobby Jones. This was an outstanding trade for the Nuggets.

The Nuggets have signed G/F Dahntay Jones to a 1-year deal. The 27-year old Jones can handle shooting guard or small forward in short spurts. Jones played in 25 games for the Kings last season and he averaged 8.4 minutes, 3.2 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Jones has been a backup his whole career so don’t expect big numbers from him but he could give the team 15-20 solid minutes per night. Jones has now played in 246 games in his NBA career and he has averaged 14.8 minutes, 4.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. This was a decent little signing for the Nuggets.