Thunder adds Atkins, first-round pick
CHRIS SILVA | THUNDER.NBA.COM | JAN. 7, 2009
The Thunder continued to stockpile assets on Wednesday with the acquisition of Denver guard Chucky Atkins and the Nuggets’ first-round draft pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
The Nuggets receive center Johan Petro and OKC’s second-round draft pick in this year’s draft.
“We feel like by adding Chucky Atkins to our team we’ve achieved a couple of objectives,” Thunder general manager Sam Presti said in a telephone interview with Thunder.nba.com. “We’ve balanced our roster and added another positive addition to our team who we feel can help stretch the floor as a shooter. And we will continue to look at how we will utilize our additional first round pick, and how we will continue to help build our team.”
This was a nice pickup by the Thunder, which now has three 2009 first-round draft picks and another veteran guard in Atkins, who is a nine-year veteran.
With the Thunder being in a building mode, the acquiring additional assets will give the club flexibility down the road or the immediate future.
The Thunder could use all three of its first-round picks, trade or package one for a deal that will further improve the team.
This transaction gives the Thunder a multitude of options.
“We’re trying to be strategic in how we build our program,” Presti said, “and acquiring assets is a part of that.”
How Atkins is used will be up head coach Scott Brooks.
The Thunder has used Earl Watson and Russell Westbrook together in the backcourt this season. Atkins gives OKC another veteran body to use in that situation.
The 5-11 Atkins has played in 14 games this season with Denver, averaging 1.9 points and 2.0 rebounds in 8.2 minutes off the bench.
Contact Chris Silva at csilva@thunder-nba.com.
