Kleiza will try to catch on with NBA's Nuggets

Associated Press

DENVER -- Linas Kleiza, acquired by the Nuggets in a draft-day trade, acknowledges he has detractors but the former Missouri star says that won't stop him going all-out to make the team.

"I can't think about what I can't control," Kleiza said on a visit to Denver Thursday. "I can control how hard I work in workouts and drills and doing what it takes."

The Nuggets obtained Kleiza, a Lithuanian who played power forward at Missouri, from Portland on Tuesday in exchange for Georgia Tech's Jarrett Jack, whom the Nuggets had chosen with their second pick.

Ricky Sanchez of Florida's IMG Academy also came from Portland to Denver in the deal.

Kleiza averaged 14 points and nearly eight rebounds a game but played mostly inside, leading to some skepticism about the interest he would generate in the draft.

"I heard the talk and didn't pay any attention to the Internet that said I wouldn't be drafted in the first round," Kleiza said. "All I know is you saw a lot of guys projected by them to go in the first round that went undrafted."

Denver coach George Karl said Kleiza will play inside for the Nuggets but will have to adjust to playing on the wing too.

"But then, I'm not one that gets caught up with position and labels," Karl said. "When you play with pace and up and down the court, there are not positions, but it's just, 'Play basketball.'"

Kleiza, who was 39-for-136 on 3-pointers at Missouri, said he welcomed that challenge.

Also in Denver Thursday were guard Julius Hodges, the Nuggets' first choice and the 20th pick overall, and Sanchez.

Belgian forward Axel Hervelle, taken by the Nuggets in the second round and 52nd overall, remained in Europe.

Karl and general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said Kleiza, 6-foot-8 and 245 pounds, would be given a chance to make the team but would not talk about his chances.

"We're not in that situation," Karl said. "The draft is just the beginning of reorganizing your roster."

In his freshman year at Missouri, Kleiza's roommate was Josh Kroenke, son of Nuggets owner Stanley Kroenke.

Kleiza, Sanchez and Hodges will play with the Nuggets' summer league team beginning July 5 in Las Vegas.