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Denver Nuggets: 25 Best Players To Play For The Nuggets

By Phil Watson

Mar 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the Denver Nuggets logo on the floor prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the Denver Nuggets logo on the floor prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Basketball: Denver Nuggets Kiki Vandeweghe (55) in action, shooting vs Houston Rockets at The Summit. Houston, TX 4/9/1983 CREDIT: Andy Hayt (Photo by Andy Hayt /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X28311 TK1 R3 F3 )
Basketball: Denver Nuggets Kiki Vandeweghe (55) in action, shooting vs Houston Rockets at The Summit. Houston, TX 4/9/1983 CREDIT: Andy Hayt (Photo by Andy Hayt /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X28311 TK1 R3 F3 ) /

player. 73. <strong>How acquired: </strong>Trade, Dallas Mavericks, Dec. 3, 1980.. PF-SF. 1980-84. Kiki Vandeweghe . 12

Kiki Vandeweghe had held out for the first two months of his rookie season after refusing to sign with the Dallas Mavericks.

In December 1980, the Denver Nuggets acquired the rights to the 11th overall pick out of UCLA in the 1980 NBA Draft along with a first-round pick in 1986 in exchange for first-round selections in 1981 and 1985.

DEN_12_VANDEWEGHE
DEN_12_VANDEWEGHE /

Vandeweghe went on to become a two-time All-Star for the Nuggets, finishing second in the NBA in free-throw percentage and scoring in 1982-83 and third in scoring in 1983-84.

In June 1984, Vandeweghe was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Calvin Natt, Fat Lever, Wayne Cooper, a second-round pick in 1984 and a first-round selection in 1985.

In four seasons in Denver, Vandeweghe averaged 23.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 33.4 minutes per game, shooting .541/.267/.857.

Vandeweghe remained with Portland until February 1989, when he was traded to the New York Knicks. Waived by the Knicks in June 1992, Vandeweghe signed with the Los Angeles Clippers in October 1992 and played one final NBA season.

He served as general manager of the Nuggets from August 2001 through May 2006 and as GM of the New Jersey Nets from May 2008 through May 2010, also serving a stint as coach of the Nets in 2009-10 with a record of 12-52.

He is 43rd in NBA history with a field-goal percentage of .525 and 20th with a free-throw percentage of .872.

Next: Underclassman Blasted Off With Rockets

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