December 6, 2008 11:18 PM

Chucky Atkins a possibility for Orlando

By Chris Tomasson
Rocky Mountain News

Could Chucky become neighbors with Mickey and Goofy?

Chucky Atkins, an Orlando native and former Magic player who is playing sparingly with the Nuggets, no doubt would love it. The Nuggets would love it if it helped trim their payroll.

But is it something the Orlando Magic would do?

Magic general manager Otis Smith confirmed to Florida Today he'd had discussions about dealing for the point guard, who is on Denver's trading block. But he didn't indicate anything is imminent.

"We've talked (about Atkins), but I'm not sure whether anything will happen for now,'' Smith told the paper. "We're still working on some other things that could happen in time. You have to factor in how some of the things hinge on each other.''

The Magic has been playing with two point guards this season after Mike Wilks in the preseason suffered a season-ending knee injury. Orlando was down to just one, Anthony Johnson, until Jameer Nelson returned Friday after missing five games with a hip injury.

The Rocky Mountain News reported last month the Nuggets are looking to trade Atkins, who is making $3.24 million this season and is barely playing as their No. 3 point guard, to help them get under the luxury-tax threshold of $71.15 million. They're about $900,000 over now. Another option the Rocky has reported is center Steven Hunter traded to get the Nuggets under the tax line.

Orlando is an intriguing destination because the Magic has a $3.3 million trade exception from last summer's Keyon Dooling deal that could result in the Nuggets taking less money back for Atkins. Then again, the Magic is around $1 million under the tax threshold, so Orlando might not want use that exception if it put it above the tax line.

Atkins, 34, is due to make $3.48 million next season in the final year of his contract. But only $760,000 is guaranteed, which could make him an attractive trade piece for a team seeking to get more cap room in the much-anticipated summer of 2010 (Atkins could be waived, and a team potentially could shave $2.72 million off its payroll).

The paper mentioned possible Magic players who could be traded as forward Brian Cook, making $3.5 million both this season and next season, and swingman Keith Bogans, making $2.565 million in the final season of his contract (Orlando also has Wilks' contract worth $998,398 this season available as a throw-in). Keep in mind any deal could include draft picks and either team sending up to $3 million to the other.

It's highly unlikely the Nuggets would have much interest in Cook, who would add to Denver's payroll both this season and next. However, acquiring Bogans, whose salary would work in a straight-up deal for Atkins, would seem to be intriguing.

Not only is Bogans, 28, a better player now than Atkins, he could be involved in a deal in which the Nuggets save money both this season and next. But the Nuggets might have to entice the Magic with a draft pick and/or cash to convince Orlando to make such a trade.

It all comes down to how desperate the Magic might be for a point guard, and if Orlando officials believe Atkins has much left. Atkins missed the first 10 games this season coming off knee surgery, and hasn't shown a lot since he returned.

In six games, Atkins is averaging 1.8 points and 2.7 assists over 9.3 minutes while shooting 4-of-11, including 1-of-5 from three point range. However, in 11 minutes of garbage time in Saturday's 118-85 win over Sacramento, Atkins did shoot 2-of-3, including making his only three-point attempt, for 5 points and handed out 2 assists.

While he waits on a possible deal, Atkins has remained a consummate professional. It would be easy for any player to become disgruntled in the position of Atkins, who entered the fall with thoughts about being the starting point guard but is now third string due to the trade for Chauncey Billups and the continued solid play of Anthony Carter.

The chances of Atkins being dealt by the Feb. 19 trade deadline are good. Everyone involved realizes it would be beneficial if Atkins, who doesn't figure in Denver's future, is moved. Miller's agent is Andy Miller, also the agent for Billups and the agent for Antonio McDyess, who took a buyout last month that got the Nuggets even closer to the tax line.

It appears now Magic officials are merely assessing their options, and nothing is close. It wouldn't be surprising, though, if the Nuggets seek to sweeten the pot in an attempt to get a deal done.

Posted by Chris Tomasson at 11:18 PM | Comments (3)