Nuggets coach George Karl, who was recently diagnosed with throat cancer, has already undergone five radiation and two chemotherapy treatments.

Dr. Jacques Saari said Karl's tumor, which had grown the size of a walnut, has already begun to shrink thanks to the treatments.

Saari described the first three weeks of Karl's treatment as the easiest and added that the last two weeks will be the toughest, adding that Karl will have major trouble swallowing and could develop oral ulcers.

George Karl announced on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with squamous cell head/neck cancer.

While receiving treatment, Karl expects to miss periodic practices and games. He is optimistic he will make a full recovery.

?The support I?ve received from my family, the Nuggets organization and my friends in the basketball community already has been incredible,? Karl said.

Karl, 58, is a cancer survivor. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in April 2005.

?George has been in contact with the organization in recent weeks regarding his health condition,? Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke said. ?We will continue to support our head coach in any way we can. Our thoughts are with him and his family as he focuses on getting healthy."

The San Antonio Spurs are trying to unload Antonio McDyess and the remaining $7.5 million owed him after this season to clear a way to make a trade for Tyrus Thomas, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Spurs have been searching for expiring deals to move McDyess, who will make $4.9 million next season and is guaranteed about $2.6 million in 2011-12.

Denver could be a landing spot for McDyess.

George Karl inked a $4.5 million contract extension last week and he recently spoke of how much value a head coach brings.

"The market is always changing," Karl said when asked to assess his value. "There have been times where coaches have been paid in the upper $6 (million), $7 (million), $8 million area. We've had Phil (Jackson) and a few others go higher than that. But I think a coach is as valuable as any starter. If you had to say the value, that's the way I can give you a value. A good coach is a good starter.

"Now, some starters make $10 million, some starters make $5 million, some starters make $2 million. But, I think, from a standpoint of basketball value, a good basketball system is as valuable as maybe your fourth- or fifth-best starter."

Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post astutely points out that four of Denver's five starters make at least $10 million this season.

The Nuggets apparently have recently tried to make trades for DeAndre Jordan, Antonio McDyess and Ben Wallace, but were unsuccessful with each pursuit.

RealGM Note: Denver is looking for a big that can play 15-25 minutes per night and provide insurance in case they incur an injury to Nene, Kenyon Martin or Chris Andersen.

Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin may be forced to miss some time down the stretch due to knee tendonitis.

Martin missed Denver's last two games prior to the All-Star break, but is expected to return once the season resumes.

The Denver Post writes that the team will have to keep an eye on him as the season progresses.

The veteran forward is averaging 12.3 points and 9.4 rebounds per game this season.

George Karl and the Nuggets have agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million contract extension, according to a league source.

RealGM Note: Karl has a career record of 968-660 and a 260-161 record (.618 winning percentage) since taking over in Denver during the middle of the 04-05 season.

There are conflicting views on how available Marcus Camby actually is depending on the source.

The Clippers are believed to be looking for a player that can help them in 10-11, or cap space to sign a maximum contract free agent this summer.

Denver and New York, two of Camby's previous teams, are both interested in dealing for him.

George Karl says the Nuggets had a trade in place with the Hawks back in 2005 that would have landed them the second overall pick.

Denver's plan then would have been to use the pick on Deron Williams.

"I don't know why we didn't do it or what happened, but there's no question that I thought he'd be a great player," Karl said. "I like him because his passion and energy for the game is contagious. It's fun to watch and it's difficult to play against."

Atlanta ultimately kept the pick and selected Marvin Williams, which allowed the Jazz to take Williams with the third pick.

Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups missed the team's game against the Jazz on Saturday with a sprained ankle.

Billups scored a career-high 39 points in a win against the Lakers on Friday night.

Carmelo Anthony also sat out, missing his eighth straight game with an ankle injury.