CHICAGO — Trade winds swept through the Windy City on Thursday, swirling around the hometown Bulls but blowing past the visiting Nuggets.
The same group that led the Nuggets to the second-best record in the Western Conference is the one that will lead Denver toward the postseason, because the Nuggets sat still as Thursday’s 1 p.m. deadline passed.
“The effort was made to get better — but (there wasn’t) an opportunity, but it’s OK,” said coach George Karl, whose Nuggets play tonight against the Bulls, who acquired five players this week. “(No move) might be the best move, might be the best choice.”
That’s not to say the front office didn’t work to see whether the right deal was out there. One Nuggets executive fell asleep Wednesday night with his cellphone in hand.
Karl said, “A coach always wants more options and better players and one more versatile guy — that’s the nature of the beast.”
Nuggets executives worked the phones, looking to find another big man to provide low-post depth behind Kenyon Martin, Nene and Chris Andersen. The team had interest in the Kings’ Brad Miller, ultimately shipped to Chicago, and a league source also said Denver inquired about Chicago’s Joakim Noah and the Pacers’ Jeff Foster, who is a favorite of Karl’s.
Denver also flirted with the idea of another guard/forward, the league source said, notably Toronto’s Anthony Parker and Sacramento’s John Salmons, also now a Bull, but could not find a match.
The Nuggets (37-17) really didn’t have much to offer. Forward Linas Kleiza was the only rotation player who garnered interest and whom the Nuggets would even consider trading. Kleiza will be a restricted free agent at season’s end and has said he would consider playing overseas next season. But for this season, at least, he will finish it out in Denver.
“I’m happy to be here,” said Kleiza, who has been battling a slump. “I’ve got to get back to it, get my rhythm back. I’m definitely happy it’s over. We have a great team and a great thing going here.”
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
Denver at Chicago
6 p.m. today, ALT, KTNI 101.5 FM, KRCN 1060 AM
Spotlight on Derrick Rose: The winner of the NBA’s skills competition during all-star weekend is in contention to be named rookie of the year. He leads all rookies with 6.4 assists per game and is second among first-year players in scoring (17.0 points).
Notebook
Nuggets notes: Forward Carmelo Anthony is listed as probable for tonight after suffering a bruised left knee in Wednesday’s game at Philadelphia. “Whenever you get hit on that bone, it’s always going to be tender,” said Anthony, who has injured his elbow and hand this season. “It’s just going to be something I’ll have to deal with.” Knowing he wouldn’t practice, Anthony wore plaid pajama pants to practice, and while jokester Jim Gillen, the team’s longtime trainer, taped ice to Anthony’s knee, Gillen said: “His knee is fine. His wardrobe is broke.” . . . The Nuggets are 5-1 on this current road trip. … Nuggets coach George Karl said it’s possible the team could sign a player by March 1, which is the deadline for playoff eligibility.
Bulls notes: Chicago acquired five players this week: John Salmons, Brad Miller, Tim Thomas, Jerome James and Anthony Roberson, and although they traded five players, “the nucleus of their team is still intact,” Karl said. . . . A sixth man last season, guard Ben Gordon is back in the starting lineup this season, and he leads Chicago in scoring (20.4 points).
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
