Wed, Jan 7, 2009 at 12:00am

PETRO FOR ATKINS

The Denver Nuggets acquired center Johan Petro and a 2009 second-round draft pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder for guard Chucky Atkins and a 2009 first-round draft pick.

What does it give the Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are a contender this season, partly thanks to the breakout so far by Nene Hilario. That said, he and starting power forward Kenyon Martin are both injury-prone, and Denver has only the unpredicatable Chris Andersen playing regularly behind them. That makes a player like Petro (who has some skills, some untapped potential, and is very mobile) an appealing backup option. He was starting for the Thunder earlier this season and has above-average talent. Giving up a first-rounder is a tough pill to swallow, but the Nuggets obviously want to win this season.

What does it give the Oklahoma City Thunder
Atkins is a nice veteran backup addition who will help mentor super-talented rookie starting point guard Russell Westbrook. For a young and non-contending team such as Oklahoma City a first-round pick is another nice building block (even though it may not be a very high selection since the Nuggets are doing so well). Petro may eventually become an above-average center, but the team has a glut of young talent at the pivot position (including Robert Swift, the newly-acquired Nenad Krstic, and Mouhamed Sene). This move also suggests the Thunder may be looking to move Earl Watson, who lost his starting job to Westbrook.

Fantasy impact

Player focus

Oklahoma City Thunder

Chucky Atkins G

a first-round draft pick in 2009

Denver Nuggets

Johan Petro C/F

a second-round draft pick in 2009