Checking In With The Nuggets Colleagues In China

Nearly four months ago former Denver Nuggets players Kenyon Martin, JR Smith and Wilson Chandler chose to leave Denver to go to China. Now all three are closing in on their return to the NBA.

Martin quit his team in China back in December, but can’t start playing in the NBA until his China team ends its season, but the veteran big man is suppose to decide which NBA team he will join this weekend. His top choices are the Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks.

Former Nuggets’ point guard Chauncey Billups is hoping to talk his former teammate in joining him in Los Angeles, while there is a chance that Martin may opt to join Carmelo Anthony in New York.

The Miami Heat are rumored to have offered Martin a contract.

While fans are begging for Smith to join their teams, there haven’t been a lot of teams showing interest in the talented shooting guard. One issue is Smith has a lot of baggage, which has been a downfall of his during his tumultuous time in the NBA. And lately his family hasn’t been helping him out.  Even with the baggage Smith would help a team out, he can get hot quickly and if his head is on straight he has the potential to be the best player on the floor.

Chandler is the only one of three that has a chance to return to Denver, he was a favorite of George Karl and fit in well with the team last year. He is a restricted free agent, but rumor is that the Toronto Raptors have shown interest in the swingman and would be willing to do a sign and trade with the Nuggets. The Raptors are willing to move Leandro Barbosa or Jose Calderon to land Chandler.