Denver Sent Jarrett Jack’s Rights to Portland
On June 28, 2005, Denver traded the rights to Jarrett Jack to Portland and acquired the rights to Linas Kleiza and Ricky Sánchez. The Nuggets split one guard prospect into two separate draft-rights assets, including a forward with a different offensive role. The Trail Blazers chose the more conventional lead-guard development opportunity in Jack. These were draft-night rights rather than veteran contracts, with neither team buying a known immediate starter.
Kleiza Became a Useful Nuggets Scorer
Kleiza developed into a credible Denver rotation scorer and contributed across several Nuggets playoff seasons. That on-court return gave his rights substantially more value to Denver than a pick that never turned into a usable player. Sánchez was a second incoming developmental asset, though the Nuggets' positive historical grade is primarily supported by Kleiza's contribution. His specific Denver minutes explain why the team viewed the package as a suitable trade for a guard prospect.
Jack Was the Strongest Overall Career of the Group
Portland obtained Jarrett Jack's rights, and Jack ultimately had a longer and more productive overall NBA career than the other incoming prospects. Acknowledging that fact prevents the verdict from being written as if Portland received nothing. The existing Nuggets-centered grades instead value how Kleiza filled a Denver scoring need during the club's playoff window. Those two different viewpoints explain how the rights trade produced genuine player value on both sides.
Final Verdict
Nuggets Win. Denver earns A- for Linas Kleiza's playoff-era scoring contribution plus Ricky Sánchez's rights. Portland receives C+ for Jarrett Jack's rights; Jack had the stronger overall NBA career but did not reproduce Kleiza's specific Denver role. The Nuggets' advantage reflects their own completed team fit rather than denying Jack's value.