CHICAGO — A year ago, Carmelo Anthony lamented the fact the Nuggets failed to land Ron Artest at the trade deadline.

The of-little-consolation prize was irrelevant point guard Taurean Green.

As the NBA trade deadline expired Thursday, Anthony had an entirely different outlook on the Nuggets' choice to move forward with the roster unchanged.

"That's good to know that we're keeping the squad," he said. "We still learning about each other, but we're winning games at the same time. Chemistry is good. I don't see no need for us to make any changes."

Boasting the second-best record in the Western Conference and a 3 1/2-game lead in the Northwest Division, the Nuggets were not in need of a shake-up.

They inquired about Indiana Pacers center Jeff Foster and were connected to rumors involving New York Knicks forward David Lee and Chicago Bulls big man Joakim Noah. In the end, nothing materialized.

"I don't know exactly what phone calls or what conversations went down, but I know the effort was made to get better," coach George Karl said. "It's not our time, and it's OK because (no move) might be the best move."

With two open roster spots, the Nuggets will continue to scan the waiver wire and evaluate free agents in search of possible insurance policies.

One of the more intriguing names is veteran point guard Sam Cassell, who was waived by the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.

Cassell played for Karl in Milwaukee from 1998 to 2003 and both men often have expressed interest in reuniting.

Cassell, 39, has not played a game this season, but his experience and leadership would be invaluable to a team trying to get out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 1994.

Told Cassell had been waived, Karl raised his eyebrows.

"Interesting," he said.

Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien would not comment on Cassell, or any other potential free agent, directly.

"Our job is simple. It's to make the roster better," Warkentien said. "You wake up every day trying to make it better."

Few teams in the NBA are playing better than the Nuggets, who have won 10 of 12, including five of six on an eight-game trip that continues tonight against the Chicago Bulls.

"We've accomplished some great things thus far," point guard Chauncey Billups said. "I've said all along that experience and chemistry is bigger than talent sometimes.

"We have a lot of talent already and our chemistry is really good. I'm confident with the team we have right now."

One guy trying to regain some confidence is Nuggets swingman Linas Kleiza.

Because of his age (24) and status as a restricted free agent in the offseason, Kleiza was attractive to potential trade partners, and his name surfaced frequently in rumors around the league.

The stress of the past two weeks was reflected in Kleiza's stats during a four-game stretch: 13 points on 5-of-26 shooting, including 0-of-14 on three-pointers.

"I think L.K. has been psychologically abused a little bit by reading his name everywhere," Karl said. "L.K.'s gotta be more mature because he's going to be in trade conversations for at least the next three or four years of his life in some way or some form.

"Allowing gossip or sarcasm or criticism to affect you, it's a weakness. A strength is laughing at it, making yourself tougher and respecting the system."

Karl said he told Kleiza to treat trade talk as a compliment and encouraged him to seek solace on the court in games and in practice.

"I'm definitely happy it's over with," Kleiza said of the trade deadline. "I'm happy to be here. Just got to get back to it and get my rhythm back and start playing again."

ANTHONY RESTS: Anthony shot some free throws but did not practice as he recovered from a bruised left knee suffered Wednesday night in Philadelphia.

"Just real tender," he said. "I should be good to go (Friday night)."

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