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.

The Denver Nuggets have signed C/F Chris Andersen to a 1-year contract. Andersen played his first three years in the Mile High City and the Nuggets are hoping that he can behave this time around. He missed two seasons with the Hornets due to a NBA drug suspension. Andersen only played in 5 games (0 starts) with the Hornets last year and he averaged 6.8 minutes, 1.2 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. The Nuggets are desperate for a big man with the trade of Marcus Camby to the Clippers and they hope that Andersen can help them out. Andersen has now played in 258 games (8 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 16.4 minutes, 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 1.3 blocked shots per game. This was a nice low risk/high reward signing for the Nuggets. It’s only really a low risk move because the Nuggets are paying Andersen the NBA minimum for this season.

The Nuggets have traded starting center Marcus Camby to the Clippers for a 2nd round pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. This trade was just made to get the Nuggets under the luxury tax of the salary cap. Camby played in 79 games (all starts) for the Nuggets last season and he averaged 34.9 minutes, 9.1 points, 13.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 3.6 blocked shots per game. The Nuggets will miss Camby’s all out effort on both sides of the basketball court but especially on defense where he is one of the best centers in the NBA. Nene’ will likely take over as the starting center this season but he’s not as good on either end of the court as Camby is. The Nuggets will miss Camby big time in 2008-09.