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DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets aren't accustomed to cleaning out their lockers in April.
The Nuggets are headed to the NBA draft lottery instead of the postseason party for the first time since 2002-03, when their 65-loss season landed them Carmelo Anthony and ushered in a decade of annual playoff appearances.
Of course, only once in that span did Denver advance out of the first round, one reason coach George Karl was fired last summer after a franchise-record 57-win campaign and an NBA Coach of the Year award and was replaced by Brian Shaw, whose rookie season was beset by injuries and unrest.
After finishing 36-46, Denver will have either its own pick in the draft in June or the New York Knicks' selection, whichever is better.
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