With the Nuggets’ trade Thursday, general manager Kiki Vandeweghe made what will likely be the final major move of his current contract, which expires this summer.
Coach George Karl and small forward Carmelo Anthony both welcomed the idea of Vandeweghe staying to make more deals in future seasons.
Karl emphasized he did not want to step into negotiations between Vandeweghe and owner Stan Kroenke, and that he would respect whatever decisions both sides make. However, the coach said he has a good relationship with Vandeweghe.
“Kiki is a very interesting, creative person who I enjoy working with,” Karl said Thursday. “I think he will work in the NBA for many years. I’m not going to be pulled into a fight. I’ll recommend him to Stan. I will talk to Stan if Stan wants my wisdom and thoughts about it. I’ll be glad to talk to Stan about it. … And I will recommend him highly to any other team that calls.”
Anthony, the Nuggets’ leading scorer, expressed his support by saying, “I would love Kiki to be here. That was the person that brought me in. That is the person I’m most familiar with. I would love for him stay here. I wouldn’t want to see a guy like that who put most of it together to be out like that.”
Vandeweghe said he was not in a position to predict his future with the team.
“I’m very appreciative of the opportunity I’ve had here and you try to do the best job you can,” he said. “I appreciate that the guys that you work with would say good things.”
Kroenke has not discussed Vandeweghe’s status throughout this season.
