Warkentien Out in Denver; Could He Be Knicks' Gain?

The Nuggets -- despite their team's recent success -- will not renew the contracts of GM Mark Warkentien and assistant GM Rex Chapman, the Denver Post reported.

Many assumed Denver would choose not to bring back one of their front-office execs, since both Chapman and Warkentien's contracts were due to expire this month. But the Nuggets shocked everyone -- including coach George Karl -- by handing both men pink slips.

So now Warkentien is out as GM ...just as the Knicks are looking to replace theirs. Interesting.

Allan Houston, of course, is still the front-runner for the job. Team president Donnie Walsh believes the former guard, who is now his assistant, has all the tools to be a great GM. Still, it can't hurt to consider Warkentien, who received the NBA Executive of the Year Award for the 2008–09 season.

He also has ties with free agent Carmelo Anthony, who still must decide whether he wants to accept the three-year, $85 million contract extension that's staring him in the face.

Sending Warkentien and Chapman packing surely muddied the water for Anthony. And Knicks fans likely are hoping this move pushes him one step closer to leaving Denver for New York after this season or even by the trade deadline.