Minor Deal

Denver Post: Teams Pondering Tskitishvili Deal

Forward focus of interest

Teams pondering Tskitishvili deal

By Marc J. Spears
Denver Post Staff Writer

The Nuggets have been fielding phone calls from teams interested in trading for forward Nikoloz Tskitishvili.

An NBA source said the Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers have inquired about Tskitishvili. The Nuggets are in search of a defensive-minded swingman, and the 7-foot- 1, 235-pound Tskitishvili could be used as bait.

"I am familiar with it," said Steve Heumann, Tskitishvili's agent. when asked about trade talks.cq"I've heard some things. It's very much in the Nuggets' hands. I know they are exploring a couple things."

Tskitishvili, the fifth pick of the 2002 draft, will make $2.9 million this season. Whatever team he plays for must decide before the season whether to take a $3.6 million option for the 2005-06 season.

As a second-year Nugget, he averaged 7.9 minutes, 2.7 points and 1.6 rebounds last season in in 39 games. last season.cq

After the Nuggets acquired all-star forward Kenyon Martin last month, Tskitishvili expressed concern that there wouldn't be playing time available and that it may be in his best interest to be traded.

Heumann said he hasn't asked the Nuggets to trade his client. Tskitishvili currently is in Europe.

Footnotes

Although free-agent swingman Rodney White has been receiving interest from the New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings, general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said White could re-sign with the Nuggets. White averaged 13.7 minutes, 7.5 points and 2.3 rebounds last season. "We're making pro- gress," Vandeweghe said. When asked if the Nuggets were progressing on their search for a defensive-minded swingman, Vandeweghe said "not really." ... On Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony playing for the U.S. Olympic team, Vandeweghe said: "I'm very proud of him. He's played great." ... Heumann said former Oklahoma State guard Melvin Sanders, who played for the Nuggets' summer league team, was invited to training camp in October. Heumann said former Arizona guard Miles Simon, who also played for the summer league team, could be invited to camp.

Marc J. Spears can be reached at mspears@denverpost.com or 303-820-5449.



I know this has been discussed time and time again, but I am disappointed not to see "Houston" in the teams mentioned as showing interest in Skita.

Nuggets are searching for a defensive minded swingman...

Let's take a look at the above mentioned teams and what they could offer:

-Note-
1) These are all trades that work in a 1-for-1 deal
2) The 1st number in parenthesis is the player's 04/05 salary
3) The 2nd number in parenthesis is the years left after 04/05 on their contract

Atlanta
SF Chris Crawford ($3,250,000 - 0)
GF Boris Diaw ($1,053,720 - 2 - Team Option after 05/06)

LA Lakers
SF Devean George ($4,500,000 - 1 - Player Option after 04/05)
SF Rick Fox ($4,928,625 - 0)

Memphis Grizzles
GF Shane Battier (recently signed contract: cant be traded until 12/15)
GF James Posey ($5,408,700 - 2)
GF Bonzi Wells ($7,770,000 - 1 - Team Option after 04/05)

Chicago Bulls
GF Scottie Pippen ($5,408,700 - 0)

Philadelphia 76ers
GF Aaron McKie ($5,500,000 - 3 - Player Option after 06/07
GF Greg Buckner ($2,880,000 - 3)


Then there's the Rockets and what they could offer.....

Houston Rockets
GF Adrian Griffin ($807,546 - 0)


It makes you wonder, if its defense the Nuggets really want I can't think of a better defender mentioned than Griffin. Combine that with his expiring contract, I would hope we could jump into the Skita sweepstakes, especially for that cheap.