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Agent eyes quick deal for Anthony

Chris Tomasson And Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News

Published May 3, 2006 at midnight

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Gentlemen, start your negotiations.

Calvin Andrews, agent for Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony, said Tuesday he hopes a contract extension quickly will be reached for his client.

Anthony can begin negotiations July 1 and can sign from July 12-Oct. 31 an extension that would begin in 2007-08. Andrews hopes Anthony will sign before he begins training camp July 19 for USA Basketball's World Championships team.

"We probably want to get things done sooner rather than later," Andrews said. "We want him to be focusing on preparing for the USA team. . . . He hasn't told us any differently."

Anthony, unavailable Tuesday for comment, has said he wants to remain with Denver. While Anthony has declined to discuss terms, he is expected to command a maximum deal, which would start at about $13 million and be worth about $79 million over five years.

Andrews said last October Anthony getting the maximum would be a "no-brainer" if "he has the season that we expect." On Tuesday, Andrews would not discuss money, but he did laud his client's season.

Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe is hopeful a deal can be reached this summer. He also wouldn't discuss terms.

Andrews said Anthony long has wanted to "make a long-term commitment" to the team. But he said Anthony wants the Nuggets, whose season ended Monday with a 4-1 first-round playoff loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, to show commitment to the entire team.

"He wants some changes (with the team)," Andrews said. "He wants to get some help."

MARTIN WATCH: Coach George Karl has not ruled out a return of Kenyon Martin, thought to be trade bait after being suspended for the remainder of the Clippers series after a Game 2 run-in with Karl.

"I would hope I touch base with all my players, including Kenyon, by the end of May," Karl said. "I mean extensively, not just a five-minute phone call, but a two- or three-hour meeting."

Martin, upset by a lack of playing time and chronic knee trouble, cursed at Karl and teammates during halftime of Game 2.

"I want Kenyon Martin healthy for him and maybe for the Denver Nuggets," Karl said. "It's got to be a mutual agreement. . . . My wish right now is for him to get healthy - mentally and physically healthy. And then we can figure out where he fits, if he wants to be with us and if we want him with us."

Vandeweghe wants to retain Martin. He will meet with him in about a week.

"I've talked to him a couple of times (since the suspension)," Vandeweghe said. "What he's going to do is take a little time . . . with his family, then come back and spend a little time talking (to Nuggets officials)."

ETC.: After cleaning out lockers, the prevalent theme among players was disappointment. Marcus Camby called it his "most frustrating season" because of much turmoil and Denver losing a third consecutive first-round series. "It's a big step back," he said. "The way we lost and how we didn't really compete." . . . After clinching the Northwest Division, the Nuggets lost their final four regular-season games. Karl said they "stopped playing" and "never got the switch turned back on." . . . Roster players Linas Kleiza and Julius Hodge and 2005 draftees Ricky Sanchez and Axel Hervelle should play for Denver in the Vegas Summer League.