CHICAGO — The players who have led the Nuggets to the second-best record in the Western Conference will be the ones who will lead Denver toward the postseason. The Nuggets did not make a move before today’s 1 p.m. trade deadline.
That’s not to say the front office didn’t work to see if the right deal was out there. One Nuggets executive fell asleep last night with his cell phone in hand.
The Nuggets’ brass pondered getting another big man to provide low-post depth behind Kenyon Martin, Nene and Chris Andersen. As reported today, the Nuggets had some interest in the Kings’ Brad Miller, but he was traded to Chicago, where the Nuggets play on Friday.
A league source also said Denver inquired about the Bulls’ Joakim Noah and the Pacers’ Jeff Foster, but both big men stayed put. As for Foster, it was possible Denver would trade Johan Petro, Steven Hunter and the future first-rounder acquired from Charlotte last summer, but the deal wasn’t done.
Forward Linas Kleiza was really the only rotation player who garnered interest and who Denver would consider trading. Kleiza will be a restricted free agent at the end of this season and has said he’d consider playing overseas next season.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
