Martin Goes From Nets to Nuggets for Draft Picks

Kenyon Martin was traded Thursday from the Nets to the Nuggets for three future first-round draft picks, a deal that strengthens Denver’s frontcourt and weakens New Jersey’s chances to stay among the elite teams in the Eastern Conference.

The deal was the result of several days of on-and-off talks, the Nuggets successfully resisting New Jersey President Rod Thorn’s efforts to acquire Nene as a replacement for Martin at power forward.

The draft picks include one of the Nuggets’ own, a pick formerly belonging to the Clippers and another previously owned by Philadelphia.

The transaction is a sign-and-trade deal in which Martin signed a seven-year contract and then was shipped to the Nuggets. It was believed to be for the maximum of about $85 million.

“This was an extremely difficult decision for our franchise,” Thorn said. “This core group of players has had an amazing run over the past few years, and we will work diligently toward once again competing for an NBA title.”

Denver was able to take on Martin, 26, without having to trade any payroll back because it is far enough under the cap to absorb Martin’s first-year salary -- nearly $11 million if Martin gets the maximum amount allowed under collective bargaining rules.

The Nuggets will still have salary cap space remaining after the trade, though the exact amount will be determined by the structure of Martin’s new contract.

Martin, the overall No. 1 pick of the 2000 draft, averaged 16.7 points and 9.5 rebounds last season. He was a restricted free agent, meaning the Nets had the right to match any offer he received, but the Nuggets were set to offer Martin a front-loaded contract with a hefty signing bonus.

All of the picks the Nets received have some lottery protection. The selection originally belonging to the Clippers will stay with Los Angeles if it is among the top 14 next season, but it is unprotected in 2006.

The Philadelphia pick is protected if it’s among the top eight in 2005 or the top five in 2006.

*

The Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers completed a sign-and-trade deal that sent swingman Stephen Jackson to the Pacers for forward Al Harrington.

Jackson first talked with the Pacers before last season. They couldn’t work out a deal, and Jackson settled for a one-year, $1.1- million offer from Atlanta after spurning a three-year, $10-million deal in San Antonio.

Jackson, 26, signed a six-year, $38-million contract before the trade.

Harrington, 24, had told Pacer president Larry Bird he would rather be traded than come off the bench again.

*

Shane Battier signed a six-year contract extension with the Memphis Grizzlies. Financial terms were not disclosed.

*

In other free-agent deals that were expected:

Swingman Manu Ginobili re-signed with San Antonio for six years and $52 million. Brent Barry also signed with the Spurs for four years and $22 million.... Swingman Hedo Turkoglu signed a six-year, $38-million offer sheet with Orlando. San Antonio is not expected to match it.... Point guard Carlos Arroyo and swingman Gordan Giricek signed four-year, $16-million contracts with Utah.