It's Nuggets or bust for Wilson Chandler

Restricted free agent Wilson Chandler did not sign an offer sheet prior to the March 1 deadline, leaving the small forward with a trio of options: sign with the Nuggets, re-enter free agency in the offseason as a restricted free agent, or according to the Denver Post, head to Italy.

Chandler, who recently returned from a stint in the CBA, is unwilling to sign a one-year deal through the 2012-13 season with the Nuggets, but would sign for the remainder of the season, according to the Denver Post. The same report notes that the Nuggets would not be willing to sign Chandler just through the remainder of the season, as such a deal would allow Chandler to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.

Should Chandler still be a restricted free agent in the offseason, he could take a qualifying offer from the Nuggets, and enter the 2013 offseason as an unrestricted free agent.

Denver has struggled badly of late, just 5-12 since a 14-5 start. The slump has dropped them to eighth place in the West, just a game ahead of Portland. They have been playing without both Danilo Gallinari (ankle) and Nene (calf) since mid-February.

(h/t Tom Ziller)