Nugz and Wiz swap players

[MavsFanFinley]

It's a nice pickup for the Nuggets. Not sure exactly why the Wizards made this move. Maybe cap room since McCLoud comes off the books after this season. Still Witney only has one more year.

Wizards trade Whitney to Nuggets for McCloud

October 24, 2002


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Washington Wizards cleared up a logjam in their backcourt Thursday by trading point guard Chris Whitney to the Denver Nuggets for forward George McCloud.

Whitney, entering his 10th season, had been with the Wizards for seven seasons and holds the franchise record for 3-pointers with 411. He shared point guard duties with Tyronn Lue last season but became expendable when the team signed Larry Hughes and drafted Juan Dixon.

Whitney has averaged 6.5 points, 2.8 assists and 1.4 rebounds in his career and was the last remaining player on the Wizards roster to wear a Bullets uniform. The team changed names in 1997.

With the Nuggets, Whitney will have a chance to compete with Kenny Satterfield for the starting spot at point guard.

McCloud, entering his 14th season, has averaged 9.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists with six teams. He was often the playmaker by default last season for the Nuggets after Tim Hardaway went down with an injury late in the season.

A capable 3-point shooter, McCloud will give the Wizards another perimeter option at small forward. Bryon Russell, signed over the summer after nine seasons in Utah, is expected to start at small forward.

[Evilmav2]

I always liked McCloud when he played for Dallas. He was usually Jason Kidd's most reliable shooting option...

[FINtastic]

I think the team needed another scorer more than they needed a 3rd string pg. I know McCloud isn't exactly lighting opponents on fire anymore, but he gives them some instant offense of the bench (although come to think of it so does MJ).

[MavsFanFinley]

Actually, sounds like McCloud might be released according to this guy.

McCloud and Varda likely to get axed

Added: 27th October, 2002

Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post reports: It's looking more and more likely that Bobby Simmons and Brian Cardinal will make the Washington Wizards.

After yesterday's practice at MCI Center, Wizards Coach Doug Collins declined to discuss which players figure to survive the cut. Collins did, however, say he already knows which players he wants to retain.

"We'll know on cut day who is going to be on this team," Collins said.

The Wizards have until 6 p.m. Tuesday to trim the roster to NBA maximum of 15 players, meaning two players will be cut. Washington,

The two players that likely will be cut are George McCloud and Ratko Varda.

[Drbio]

The Nuggets Kiki V continues to develop that team in a positive way. This was a steal.