Nuggets coach George Karl Glad Carmelo Anthony trade drama is more - Denver Post

Nuggets coach George Karl went to his car after team practice at the Pepsi Center on Monday. (Aaron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)

George Karl, perhaps more than any other, had become tired of the constant drama of trade Carmelo Anthony.

But it was hardly auspicious occasion for the Nuggets coach when he came to know the Pepsi Center Monday night that his star player was not a nugget. Trades, Karl said, are always difficult on the coach.

"I'm glad it's over. I'm glad it's an opportunity to invent new," said Karl, as he stood beside his red SUV, was conducted shortly after the transaction . "I think everybody treats them as noble as you can handle it. There is a certain sadness to it, there will always be."

Earlier, Karl put his players - the four other players in the mega-deal with the New York Knicks, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter included - a convenient 75 minutes after the first five days of all-star break.

The preparation of the second half of the season, including Tuesday's game against Memphis, was the most free. The team he coaches against the Grizzlies like nothing he has coached the Nuggets' last game, or even the material he provided in an up-tempo practice led Monday night.

Karl, however, seems to be the challenge of trying to make the playoffs in the Western Conference, even without Anthony and Billups. Against the Grizzlies, and possibly on Thursday against the Boston Celtics, this may mean a "do-shifting" cases and confrontations, "said Karl.

"I think it's funny to see how quickly the team will meet as they grow and how quickly it can prove to be a playoff caliber team," said Karl.

Before the transaction was completed, said he believed Karl was kept in the loop "of the Nuggets front office and he said that could be heard from the team president and general manager Josh Kroenke the Masai Ujiri entry.

Karl is not yet under contract for this season, and he will ask questions about where he wants to stay long without Anthony in Denver. Karl, on Monday evening before the operation was completed, discussions, described with the Nuggets' front office as "hopeful." Karl said he "loves" Denver and that "a lot good feelings "to keep the Nuggets' coach beyond this year.

"I still think there are good relations, good communication and I think there's a good interaction," said Karl. "I think the priority has been and Melo is very understandable.

Lindsay H. Jones: 303-954-1262 or ljones@denverpost.com