Smith for Patterson: No KVH for the Nuggets?

[purplefrog]

Nuggets acquire Joe Smith
Denver deals Patterson to Bucks for forward
By Marc J. Spears
Denver Post Staff Writer

As a Nugget, Patterson played 26 regular-season games and five playoff games.

The Nuggets traded swingman Ruben Patterson to the Milwaukee Bucks for forward Joe Smith, Denver director of player personnel Mark Warkentien announced today.

"We are excited to be able to add a solid veteran like Joe to our frontcourt," said Warkentien. "We believe his addition gives us one of the deepest frontlines in the NBA."

The arrival of Smith means the Nuggets probably will not go after Dallas free-agent forward Keith Van Horn because they fill the same role. Smith will make $6.8 million next season in the final year of his contract while Patterson will make the same in his final season.

Smith averaged 8.8 points and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 47.5 percent from the field in 44 games for Milwaukee last season. The 6-foot-10, 225-pound 11-year veteran was the top pick in the NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors in 1995. Smith has averaged 8.6 points and 5.2 rebounds over his career, including a career-high 18.7 points with Golden State during the 1996-97 season. He also has also played for Philadelphia, Minnesota and Detroit. Patterson's Nuggets career lasted only 26 regular-season games and five playoff games. The 6-foot-5, 224-pound forward was acquired from Portland in a four-team trade on Feb. 23. Patterson started 20 regular-season games for Denver, averaging 13.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.31 steals. The eight-year NBA veteran is close with Nuggets and former Cincinnati teammate Kenyon Martin and had some words with coach George Karl during the playoffs regarding Martin's suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.


What does this mean for poor Eddie???? It looks like his PT will be down to almost nothing with the present Nuggets roster (Nene, Joe Smith, K-Mart at PF). Love to see him get an opportunity to play somewhere.