Johan Petro Leaves Denver, Gets Three-Year Deal With Nets

by Chris TomassonFiled under: Nets, Nuggets, FIBA, NBA Free AgentsDenver's search for big men got even more urgent Saturday. Center Johan Petro, who was serviceable in starting 16 Nuggets games late last season in place of Kenyon Martin, signed a three-year, $10 million deal Saturday with New Jersey. "He's very happy. He's very happy,'' said Petro's agent, Sam Goldfeder, understandably repeating himself since his client more than tripled his $884,881 minimum salary from last season. Goldfeder said the Nuggets were "very interested'' in bringing Petro back but it never got to the stage were they offered a multi-year contract. Petro had told FanHouse late last season he wanted a multi-year year, and he jumped when the Nets made the offer. "We needed a backup center with some size,'' New Jersey president Rod Thorn said of the 7-foot, 247-pound five-year veteran. "He did a good job with the Nuggets. We've been looking a...