Hunter would want trade if not in Nuggets’ plans next season

[DrReality]

Would he fit our needs?

Hunter would want trade if not in Nuggets’ plans next season

By Chris Tomasson

chris.tomasson@indenvertimes.com

He’s the Nuggets’ forgotten player entering the playoffs. But Steven Hunter wants to be remembered next season.

The reserve center thought his NBA days might be over last fall before he had career-saving knee surgery. But Hunter is back practicing, and could play if the Nuggets run into trouble.

It’s unlikely the eight-year veteran, who hasn’t played since the first preseason game, will get into a playoff game. With the Nuggets having 13 players (14 when Sonny Weems returns from the NBADL) and 12 activated for each game, he would only put on a jersey if there’s an injury.

That’s OK with Hunter, who is working toward next season. But he wants to make sure he’s playing next season.

“I’m looking for an opportunity,’’ Hunter said in an interview with InDenver Times. “If there’s not an opportunity for me to come in and play (in Denver), I can’t afford to sit on the bench in my contract year.’’

Does that mean, Hunter, who has one year and $3.7 million left on his contract after this season, would want the Nuggets to trade him if he’s not in their plans?

“Definitely, if I don’t fit in, I would,’’ he said. “But I definitely understand it’s a business, but I got to take care of business, too”

Nuggets coach George Karl, though, doesn’t rule out Hunter playing a role with the team next season.

“I think our insurance big guys have always had opportunities here,’’ Karl said. “He just hasn’t been healthy and he hasn’t been ready if the opportunity opens up. I think he and Johan (Petro) are pretty good fourth, fifth big guys who could move up. I like both of them. Hopefully, we’ll have them both.’’

But, while Petro is an unrestricted free agent and might not command more than the minimum of $884,881, Hunter’s contract could prove a burden on a team that wants to avoid luxury-tax territory while still retaining free agents Chris Andersen and Linas Kleiza. It’s possible the Nuggets could throw in a first-round pick this summer to get a team to take Hunter’s contract off their hands.

For now, Hunter, 27, is just happy to be healthy. He had right knee surgery midway through last season, his first with the Nuggets, and played sparingly while getting into just 19 games.

Pain in his right knee continued to bother Hunter in training camp. He was worried his career might be over.

“It was scary,’’ Hunter said. “I had a lot of nights crying in bed. I guess you could say I was concerned about my future.’’

Hunter visited a New York specialist who didn’t provide a surgical option, but suggested resting the knee and hoping. Hunter then paid a visit to Dr. Richard Steadman at Vail’s Steadman-Hawkins Clinic, and a surgical procedure was offered.

“They said it was 50-50,’’ Hunter said of whether he would be able to play again. “It depended on how the surgery went and how hard I worked on my rehab.’’

Hunter underwent the surgery Nov. 14, and initial indications were it went very well. After a few weeks, Hunter knew he would be able to play again.

“That I’m standing here today, I feel blessed,’’ Hunter said. “A couple of months ago, I didn’t think I would ever be able to play again. But Dr. Steadman did a great procedure on me, and now my knee feels better than it did the last two years. I’m very excited about my future.’’

Hunter also credits Nuggets strength and conditioning coach Steve Hess for getting his leg strong again, and enabling him to return to practice late last month. But Hunter has yet to be activated for a game.

“He could play minutes if we had to go that far,’’ Karl said.

But it’s OK with Hunter if he doesn’t get into a game in the postseason.

“The focus now should be to get better and practice with the team and work out and just work on my own individual game so that next year I will be 100 percent,’’ Hunter said.

Of course, next season figures to be another story. Hunter wants to play, and will want to be dealt if there’s no room for him in Denver.

[coachx]

He would be a good thought. He is long and hopefully can still play above the rim.

If he plays a few games and proves he is healthy he would be nice addition on a bargain contract.

[frosgrim]

He would be a good thought. He is long and hopefully can still play above the rim.

If he plays a few games and proves he is healthy he would be nice addition on a bargain contract.

I've always liked Hunter; however there are two hurdles:

1) Is he really healthy enough to make a trade for? That knee injury sounds really bad.

2) who do we trade to get him. He's making 3.7 mil next season, so that means a move of Evans + filler (Morris/Hunter??). Maybe a SnT for Josh Childress (though this seems a little much)?

A guy like Hunter is what the Hawks need, I'm just not sure that Steven Hunter is the solution given the above.

[TheDude]

i feel like solomon jones could be a steven hunter....howeverr lately even with playing time, i'm finally seeing the light that solomon is not going to progress greatly..he'l get better, more consistent but unless bulks a little bit more in the offseason and becomes a madman all of a sudden i just dont see it...with that said, he can still be what steven hunter was if he continues to develop.

[DrReality]

This is the kind of move we can expect. Not a huge one but a guy with a reasonable contract that we can add. His health is an issue but if he recovers he could be a big addition.

The question is are there other guys that fit the bill that may be available?

[MaceCase]

If it's true the Nugs would throw a 1st round pick into the mix to avoid the lux tax I'd be all over this trade. I'm Not so sure if the Nugs own this year's pick but if a package of Mo and filler would get them to bite we could use that pick on a replacement wing of terrence williams or young or package it with 19 to move up the draft.

[mattlanta]

So who/what would you guys trade for Hunter?

[Dexmethylphenidate]

i feel like solomon jones could be a steven hunter....howeverr lately even with playing time, i'm finally seeing the light that solomon is not going to progress greatly..he'l get better, more consistent but unless bulks a little bit more in the offseason and becomes a madman all of a sudden i just dont see it...with that said, he can still be what steven hunter was if he continues to develop.

You mean like 3 minutes of playing time?

[Blunt91]

So who/what would you guys trade for Hunter?

What about Mo Evans & Randolph Morris for Steven Hunter. It went through the Real GM trade Checker.

Edited April 22, 2009 by Blunt91

[Atlantaholic]

Problem with Solomon is that he just doesn't have NBA hands... Unfortunately that's not something you can teach, and something that limits greatly how much you can improve. Solomon's potential is only attractive on the defensive end.

[DominiqueWilkins]

Steven Hunter does nothing for me and I question his ability to be productive. We need to pursue other options and not even consider Steven.

[MaceCase]

Having a big body to throw at more traditional bigs off the bench is all he'd offer but that 1st rd pick for a midling bench vet is the only reason to entertain this