Memphis forward Darrell Arthur traded to Denver

The Denver Nuggets didn't want to pay another young prospect to sit on their bench. So, on a night they dealt Kosta Koufos to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Nuggets also traded their first-round pick in Thursday night's draft to the Utah Jazz.

The Nuggets traded Koufos to the Grizzlies for former Kansas forward Darrell Arthur and the 55th pick, opening the way for $11 million-a-year super-sub JaVale McGee to start for Denver in 2013-14.

That wasn't what drove the deal, though, new general manager Tim Connelly insisted.

"Not really. I don't think it's fair to the three centers that we had. At times you can cannibalize each other. But that wasn't the purpose," said Connelly, who added that he tendered center Timofey Mozgov before the draft. "I think the purpose was to find a guy that's more complementary to JaVale and (Kenneth) Faried."

Connelly raved about Arthur's athleticism and skill set and suggested it will be up to new coach Brian Shaw to determine if Arthur will push Faried for the starting power forward job next season.

"It was a difficult evening. We traded a key piece of our team last year, a guy that has a really bright future and it was not easy," Connelly said. "We targeted a certain type of player and Arthur fits that role. He's an elite frontcourt defender, he's able to spread the court, he's been a part of several successful playoff teams.

"But it was not an easy trade. Koufos is a consummate professional and a great kid."

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dylans 8 years, 12 months ago

Nice to see the Arthur love.

Michael Bratisax 8 years, 12 months ago

DA is coming out the injury plagued career and will be the stud we expected!! Get some DA!!

Ben Berglund 8 years, 12 months ago

Well allow me to be the first to welcome Darrell "Shady" Arthur to Denver!

KGphoto 8 years, 12 months ago

I’ll second that. Don’t think Denver has had a Hawk since Raef LaFrentz left in ’02.

Maybe I’ll start going to some more game again.

VailHawk 8 years, 12 months ago

Yay!!! I'm definitely gonna check out the "new" pepsi center now. Haven't been to a game since doug moe was teaching his killer defense to alex english n fat lever!

Martin Rosenblum 8 years, 12 months ago

Shady dealings! It was comforting knowing he was a Grizzlie, even though he has had such bad luck with injuries.

Adam Collins 8 years, 12 months ago

Living in Denver, I'm excited to have a Jayhawk to root for on the Nuggets. That said, their President, Josh Kroenke, was a Mizzery basketball player. That explains his basketball ineptitude and why he would fire the reigning Coach of the Year. It also makes it difficult to root for the Nuggets...

Tar-REEK Black

Ty-REL Reed

Oh, and then there is a non Hawk.

Le-BRON James

The team will be coached by Jer-RANCE Howard.