Nuggets trade Afflalo to Blazers in 5-player deal

DENVER — Arron Afflalo's second stint in Denver didn't last long, with the veteran guard sent to the Portland Trail Blazers in a five-player deal Thursday.

The Nuggets also included backup forward Alonzo Gee in the trade. In return, Denver received Thomas Robinson, Victor Claver and Will Barton along with first- and second-round draft picks, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person requested anonymity because no deal has been announced.

Yahoo! Sports was first to report the trade.

With Afflalo, the Blazers acquire a shooter who can come in off the bench to spell Wesley Matthews.

Afflalo averaged 14.5 points this season, but has struggled at times with his jumper. He's shooting just under 43 percent, which would be his worst since his rookie season in 2007-08.

The 29-year-old Afflalo was reacquired by Denver from Orlando in a draft-night trade last June. Although his name has been mentioned leading to the trade deadline, Afflalo said it wasn't bothering him.

"I'm enjoying being a Nugget," Afflalo said Wednesday after practice. "I'll always enjoy being a Nugget, despite the losses, despite whatever individual role I have.

"I'll be fine. The circumstances are playing in the NBA or playing in the NBA."

The Nuggets are shaking things up after a 20-33 start in coach Brian Shaw's second season in charge. They traded center Timofey Mozgov to Cleveland last month for two first-round picks.

Another player in the trade-talk mix is versatile forward Wilson Chandler.

"Every year you go through it," Shaw said. "It's nothing that we can control. All we can do is control what we do on the floor."

Robinson and Barton were role players the Blazers this season. Claver appeared in just 10 games.