When Dahntay Jones left the Nuggets for Indiana last week, they immediately had a perimeter defensive need to fill.
Enter Arron Afflalo.
The Nuggets acquired the 6-foot-5 guard Monday in a trade with Detroit, along with 6-9 forward Walter Sharpe and cash for a second-round pick in the 2011 draft.
Afflalo, known as a rugged defender, will be in Denver today to take a physical before the trade becomes official.
“People can expect to see a high-energy defender who can make shots,” said Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien. “The acquisition is very much to fill Dahntay Jones’ shoes.”
Jones was the Nuggets’ premier defensive stopper last season. He started 71 games at shooting guard and gained attention in the playoffs for his defense against New Orleans star Chris Paul. Indiana signed Jones to a four-year contract worth $11 million.
Afflalo, a career 34.2 percent 3-point shooter, prefers to be known as an all-around talent.
“I just think as a basketball player I just embrace being a complete player,” Afflalo said. “It’s not that I’ve ever strived to be a defensive guy or an offensive guy. I just love to compete. With that in mind, I’ll embrace whatever I’m asked to do.
“If I’m asked to defend the best player, then I’m going to get after it to the best of my ability. At the same time, continue to get better as a complete player and be aggressive and confident in every aspect of the game.”
Afflalo has played well at the Pepsi Center. In a game there against the Nuggets on Jan. 9, he scored 17 points in 21 minutes. The Pistons beat the Nuggets 93-90, ruining Chauncey Billups’ first game against his former team.
Now, Afflalo gets to play with Billups as he did during his rookie season.
“He’s one of the players I looked up to coming into the league,” said Afflalo, a UCLA product. “There’s no better backcourt teammate to have.”
The feeling is mutual. According to Warkentien, Nuggets management talked to Billups before pulling the trigger on the trade.
“We consulted Chauncey,” Warkentien said. “Chauncey gave a more than glowing recommendation. We think (Afflalo) can help us on the floor, and we think he can help us in the locker room.”
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
