http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_23071.shtml Nuggets: DerMarr Johnson to Sign Overseas By Travis Heath for HOOPSWORLD.com Aug 18, 2007, 13:55 A source close to Denver Nuggets forward DerMarr Johnson has reported the swingman will accept a two-year deal to play overseas for Benetton Trevisio where he will join fellow American and former Los Angeles Clippers guard Lionel Chalmers. Johnson teased Nuggets' fans (not to mention head coach George Karl) with his length and athleticism during his three-year tenure with the club. And after a strong showing by Johnson late in Karl's first season with the team, it looked like the swingman had a definite future with the Nuggets. However, his playing time and subsequent production dipped every season with the team. In 2004-05 Johnson averaged over 7.1 points in over 17 minutes of play. In 2005-06 those numbers dropped to 6.1 points in 15.9 minutes and dropped even further last season to 3.5 points in 10.7 minutes of run. The writing has been on the wall for Johnson since the beginning of last season when the team opted not to sign him until halfway through training camp. At that point, everyone knew 2006-07 was a do-or-die year for the six-year-veteran. Despite his inconsistent and sometimes nonchalant style of play, Johnson did have his moments with the team. In the ultimate twist of irony, on more than one occasion Johnson was able to use his rare mix of length and quickness to give former Philadelphia 76ers and current Denver Nugget guard Allen Iverson fits. That said, this kind of defensive prowess was something that was not on display nearly enough to warrant giving Johnson big-time minutes. In the end, Johnson was never able to prove he could produce on a consistent basis, and with the emergence of Von Wafer this summer, the Nuggets were no longer willing to use one of the team's open roster spots on the man his teammates call D.J. Perhaps going overseas, something Johnson has been reluctant to consider in the past, will provide just the kind of jumpstart to his career the likes of which he was never able to find in Denver. --

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