Nuggets Add Candace Parker’s Husband

I’m sure if Candace Parker was available the Denver Nuggets would make her an offer, but sadly she wasn’t. However, her husband Shelden Williams was. He has signed a minimum deal with the Denver Nuggets. Williams, a 6-foot-9, 250-pound post player, played very rarely with the Boston Celtics last season and was a former fifth pick in the draft and was selected over Brandon Roy and Rudy Gay.

Williams is the last case scenario big man for the Nuggets and will help in the post. He has great size and is a hard worker, you wouldn’t see this guy get bullied by Paul Millsap or Carlos Boozer, like the rest of the Nuggets were last season. He is also a beast on the glass. Williams could see some minutes early on with injuries to Kenyon Martin and Chris Andersen. However, Al Harrington will likely start for the Nuggets, but a lineup of Williams and Nene doesn’t sound half bad.

Williams, a former Blue Devil, has averaged 4.5 points and 3.8 rebounds over the course of his five-year career and played 54 games last season for the Celtics and saw limited time in the NBA Finals. He could follow the steps of another former player from Duke Dahntay Jones and sees an opportunity of playing with the Nuggets as a chance to revitalize his career.

Anthony Carter also signed with the Nuggets and returns for his fourth straight season with the Nuggets, this time as the permanent third point guard the squad. Carter isn’t exactly a fan-favorite, but you can do far worst as a third point guard.

The addition of the two gives Nuggets 14 players, while it is hard to see the Nuggets adding any more through free agency unless they waive Brian Butch and take on his contract. The Nuggets could also look into trades, with Kenyon Martin’s expiring contract and Renaldo Balkman being the Nuggets two biggest trading chips. If the Nuggets do keep the roster as is, Nene and Andersen are the only players on the active roster who are taller than 6-10 – that is of players that can play this year (Butch is an exception).

The Denver Post is reporting that Andersen will have surgery on his finger Wednesday. He broke it in a game versus Memphis earlier this season. He also had surgery on his right patella tendon. Both surgeries should clip the Bird’s wings for a while, adding to the Nuggets woes on the frontcourt.

Nuggets also are not likely to match the Toronto’s offer to free agent Linas Kleiza, but they might be able to get a trade exception or at least a pick out of the trade.

(Photo by Jonathan Maness)