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DENVER (AP) -- The Denver Nuggets have signed coach George Karl to a three-year extension.

Karl's deal has been in the works for months but took a back seat to the season-long negotiations to trade All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony, who was dealt to the New York Knicks two weeks ago.

Karl is 1,023-698 in 23 NBA seasons for a .594 winning percentage. He missed the last two months of last season to fight throat and neck cancer, then returned this season and became the seventh coach in NBA history to win 1,000 games.

Karl has drawn praise for keeping his team together this season through the "Melo-drama." The Nuggets are 37-27 and in fifth place in the Western Conference. They're 5-2 since trading Anthony and Chauncey Billups to New York for a package of young players and draft picks.

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AP Sports Writer Arnie Stapleton contributed to this report.

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