Sunday’s signing of Wilson Chandler reminds one of Saturday morning, when coach George Karl lounged in the Pepsi Center stands, talking about the new-look Nuggets with the same powder-blue passion that the fans in those stands would later that night.

JaVale McGee, waiting for a finalized trade, would be a Nugget soon. Chandler too. Counting Chandler’s scoring average of 15.3 points from last season, that would give Denver an incredible 10 players who average at least 8.8 points a game.

“I think it’s fun,” Karl said. “But in a normal regular season, you want a 30- (to) 40-game package of the eight, nine guys that you’ll rotate in a game — and know how you’re going to do it. With JaVale and Wilson, you can’t even come close to that. … But in the same sense, it can be advantageous to us, if we commit to 22 games and don’t get egos and don’t worry about minutes and get flustered about not playing. (I say to the players), ‘Whatever you get, take it seriously and see what happens.’ “

On Sunday, Chandler signed a five-year deal worth $37 million, Chand ler’s agent said. The signing was first reported by The Denver Post. Also on Sunday, the Nene trade went through, making McGee, a former Wizards center, officially a Nugget. Chandler and McGee are expected to be available tonight when the Nuggets hosts the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks. To make room for Chandler, the Nuggets waived Ronny Turiaf, as expected.

Chandler’s journey involved passports and patience. Chandler originally came to the Nuggets last season as part of the Carmelo Anthony trade to New York. But during the lockout, he signed with a team in China, returning to the U.S. in February. But the Nuggets weren’t going to offer the restricted free agent a single-year deal, so his agent, Chris Luchey, and the Nuggets’ brass, notably Masai Ujiri, spent a few weeks negotiating. In the end, Luchey said he was impressed with Ujiri’s dedication to building a young team of hungry, fast-paced players.

“Wilson wants to be a part of that,” Luchey said.

McGee averaged 11.9 points and 8.8 rebounds for Washington and, as Boston coach Doc Rivers said before Saturday’s loss in Denver, McGee plays “Dwight Howard-ish” defense.

Karl has had conversations with the 7-footer, who seemed refreshed and ready to play for a playoff contender.

“(Karl) was just saying it’s a hardworking team and he wants me to come in and show him I’m ready to play hard,” McGee said. “That’s definitely what I’m ready to do. I’m ready to get on the floor.”

Or above the rim. That’s where McGee plays. He ranks fourth in the NBA with 2.5 blocked shots per game and will surely make some highlight reels catching lobs from Ty Lawson and Andre Miller.

But back to Karl: The biggest issue is figuring out minutes. More important, who will play the game’s final minutes?

“Would you bet me $1,000 that tonight that you know the five guys who will finish the game?” Karl asked Saturday. “How many other teams know (who would finish the game for them)? I’d say 15 (to) 20. I’d almost bet that you can’t name three guys. In a crazy way, we’ve gotten to that place.

“Now don’t get me wrong. I think it’s fun. But it’s all about (how the game plays out)

, matchups, offensive game versus defensive game, big-man game, little game.

“With Nene gone, Ty, (Danilo) Gallinari and everybody moves up with more responsibility and more circumstances. It’s not only JaVale. It’s everybody who has to make an adjustment to get comfortable. I told them today, we don’t want to think too much. We just have to play hard and the harder you play and the more success we have, the more confidence we’ll get at each level.”

Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com