2009 Denver Nuggets: Where Are They Now?

Six years doesn’t seem like a massive amount of time, but if you think about what was going on in 2009, you realize that a lot changes over that time span. In 2009, we had no idea what the swine flu was, we witnessed the first African-American President sworn in, and Michael Jackson was working on his final tour.

In the sports world, six years feels more like 60 years. It’s hard to believe now, but the Denver Nuggets advanced to the Western Conference Finals in 2009. It was their first appearance in the Conference Finals since 1985, and the last one since.

The Nuggets won 54 games that season, after completing a blockbuster trade that sent future Hall of Fame guard Allen Iverson to the Detroit Pistons. In return, Denver received Chauncey Billups — a Denver native and a fan-favorite.

Billups formed a great one-two combo with Nuggets superstar Carmelo Anthony, propelling the team to the Northwest Division championship. They entered the Playoffs as the second seed, where they met up with the New Orleans Hornets, and then the Dallas Mavericks — eliminating both teams in five games.

Eventually, they were knocked out of the Playoffs by the Los Angeles Lakers, in six games. Despite losing to the eventual champions, there was plenty of optimism concerning Denver’s future. Unfortunately, the optimism faded away through the years, as the Nuggets declined into the rebuilding team that they are now.

Now that we are on the tail end of a losing season, it’s a good time to look back at the last successful Denver Nuggets era. We all know what these men accomplished as teammates, but what happened to them after 2009, and where are they now?

Mar 1, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers former guard Allen Iverson during his jersey number retirement ceremony at halftime of game between the 76ers and Washington Wizards at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Allen Iverson

Iverson was only on the team for three games in 2008, but if it werenâ€™t for him, Billups would have never found his way back to Denver. Iverson was traded to Detroit, where he had the last successful season of his career, averaging 17.4 points and 4.9 assists. Late into the season, he was deactivated after disagreeing on his role.

He ended up playing one more season in the NBA, with the Memphis Grizzlies and Philadelphia 76ers in 2010. He played 3 games for Memphis, but was let go because of his unwillingness to accept a bench role. After returning to the 76ers for 25 games, he decided to leave the team in order to be with his ill daughter.

Iverson often times found himself in the headlines for the wrong reasons after his last NBA game. Shortly after leaving Philadelphia, there were reports that he was broke, due to gambling and alcohol problems.

Later in 2010, he made his return to the basketball court when he signed a two-year contract with Turkish club Beşiktaş, but he played in only 10 games before leaving the team due to a calf injury.

He held off his retirement for a number of years, hoping that an NBA team would sign him, but he also turned down an offer from the NBA D-League’s Texas Legends in 2013. However, by October of that year, he decided to hang up his sneakers for good — ending his days of practice.

Allen Iverson still has ties to the Philadelphia 76ers organization in 2015. The team retired his jersey in 2014, and he makes appearances for them from time to time. He recently stated that he would like to work in their front office someday.

February 15, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Eastern Conference forward Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks (7) smiles during the second half of the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Carmelo Anthony

Anthony is one of the most polarizing figures in Denver sports history. On one hand, he was the Nuggets franchise player for eight seasons, and he led them to the Western Conference Finals. On the other hand, he forced his way out of town, essentially quitting on the team.

In 2011, Anthony (along with Billups, Renaldo Balkman and Anthony Carter) was dealt to the New York Knicks for Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov and an assortment of draft picks.

That trade has been a bag of mixed results for the Nuggets, but it hasnâ€™t exactly worked out for the Knicks either. They have appeared in the Playoffs twice during the Anthony era, but the team has been a laughing stock for the majority of the past two seasons.

The Knicks (14-57) have bottomed out this season, and Anthony has been deactivated since the All-Star Break — opting for patella tendon surgery.

If you can’t find any positives with the Nuggets play this season, at least you can find happiness with the fact that Carmelo signed a five-year deal with New York in the offseason, and it’s going to be a long uphill climb for that franchise to gain relevancy again.

Feb 7, 2015; Boulder, CO, USA; NBA and Colorado Buffaloes former guard Chauncey Billups watches from the sidelines during the second half between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Utah Utes at Coors Events Center. The Utes won 79-51. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Chauncey Billups

After leading the Nuggets to the Conference Finals, Billups was traded to New York in the Carmelo deal. He was reluctant to move across country and suit up for the Knicks, but he was productive in the 21 games he played in The Big Apple. He averaged 17.5 points, 5.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds per-game during his short stint with the Knicks.

After the 2011 NBA lockout was resolved, Billups was waived via the amnesty clause, before being picked up by the Los Angeles Clippers. He moved over to the shooting guard position as a member of the Clippers, but his season ended prematurely (20 games) after he tore his Achilles tendon. He returned for one more season in LA, but he played in only 22 more games due to various injuries. Despite his limited contributions, he was award the first Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award.

In 2013, Billups returned to the Detroit Pistons for one more run. That run lasted about two steps; he played in 19 games due to knee issues.

Billups retired after the 2014 season, ending a 17-year playing career. Now living the retired life, he runs prep basketball camps and he recently appeared as an analyst on NBA TV.

Mar 18, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Washington Wizards forward Nene Hilario (42) gets the ball and looks to the basket during the second quarter against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

Nene

The big Brazilian played for the Nuggets until 2012, when he was traded to the Washington Wizards for JaVale McGee. He has been a solid starter for the Wizards, as they have transformed from a lottery team into a Playoff contender.

He is currently averaging 11.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 steals per-game, for the 40-31 Wizards. He has one more year remaining on his Wizards contract, before he hits free agency in 2016.

JR Smith

Smith remained with Denver until the 2011 NBA lockout, when he decided to take his talents to the Far East. He played for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls, of the Chinese Basketball Association, before landing with the New York Knicks in 2012.

Smith spent three seasons playing with his former Denver teammate, Carmelo Anthony, in New York, before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in January. He is currently shooting three-pointers at a 38.5-percent clip, while averaging 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per-game for Cleveland.

Jan 31, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Kenyon Martin (6) hangs from the rim after dunking the ball during the second quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Kenyon Martin

Martin also left the Nuggets during the 2011 lockout, eventually signing with the Xinjiang Tigers, of the Chinese Basketball League.

After the Chinese season concluded in 2012, he signed 10-day contracts with the Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks. He managed to stick around Madison Square Garden for two seasons, playing with former two Nuggets — Anthony and Smith.

In January of this year, Martin signed with the Milwaukee Bucks. He played in 11 games before he was let go. He is now a veteran free agent, awaiting his next opportunity to contribute.

Chris Andersen

The Birdman played for the Nuggets until 2012, when he was waived via the amnesty clause. He had to wait until January 2013 to receive another shot on an NBA team, when he signed a 10-day contract with the Miami Heat.

Those 10 days have turned into two-plus years and he has been a key contributor on a contending team. He has appeared in two NBA Finals with Miami, and he has one ring to show for his efforts. He has played in 52 games for the Heat this season, averaging 5.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per-game.

He estimates that his body is 75% covered in tattoos, and he has used his appearance for a PETA ad — Ink Not Mink — which protests the fur industry.

Renaldo Balkman

Balkman was another piece of the Carmelo Anthony trade in 2011. After returning to New York for one shortened season (five games), he made his way overseas. He has played in the Philippines, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Mexico since he was last seen in an NBA jersey.

He was playing for the D-League’s Texas Legends earlier this season, but he returned to the Philippines in March, where he currently plays for Capitanes de Arecibo.

Anthony Carter

After being traded to New York as a part of the Carmelo package, Carter played 19 games for the Knicks. After the 2011 lockout, he signed with the Toronto Raptors, where he appeared in 24 games and averaged 2.0 points per-game. He was a member of the 2012 Denver Nuggets training camp, but he was cut.

Carter is currently an assistant coach for the D-League’s Austin Spurs.

Jan 17, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) battles to maintain possession against Los Angeles Clippers guard Dahntay Jones (31) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Dahntay Jones

Jones has bounced around the league for the majority of his career. After leaving the Nuggets in 2009, he signed as a free agent with the Indiana Pacers. Between 2012 and 2014, he was on the Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz rosters.

Jones was playing for the D-League’s Fort Wayne Mad Ants earlier this season, but he was scooped up by the Los Angeles Clippers in January. He is averaging 0.8 points per-game in very limited minutes.

Linas Kleiza

At one time, many analysts thought Kleiza had the potential to be a star, but that has yet to materialize. He has bounced around internationally, never gaining too much traction with one team.

In the summer of 2009, he made the decision to leave the Nuggets for the Greek League’s Olympiacos for a bigger payday. After one season, he made his return to the NBA, signing a four-year deal with the Toronto Raptors. He suffered a major knee injury and he was eventually waived via the amnesty clause in 2013.

He is currently playing in Italy, for Emporio Armani Milano.

Johan Petro

Petro was traded to the New Jersey Nets in 2010, and then to the Atlanta Hawks (in the Joe Johnson trade) in 2013.

He has played internationally since 2013. He is currently playing for Mets de Guaynabo in Puerto Rico, after stops in China and France.

Jason Hart

Hart was in the NBA through 2010, playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Hornets.

Since his retirement, he has coached AAU and high school basketball in Los Angeles. In 2014, he was an assistant coach for Pepperdine Waves. He is currently an assistant for the USC Trojans.

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