Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Hodge won't join Nuggets in Vegas Summer League

Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News

Published July 7, 2006 at midnight

Text size  

More Denver Nuggets

More stories »

LAS VEGAS - After Julius Hodge played sparingly as a rookie, the Nuggets still have much to learn about him. But they're willing to be patient.

Hodge's agent, Marc Cornstein, confirmed Thursday the Nuggets guard, shot four times while driving April 8, will not join the team in Las Vegas for practice or games.

The Nuggets had been hopeful Hodge would recover well enough to play in the Vegas Summer League, which began Thursday with the Nuggets beating the Dallas Mavericks 113-85.

"We decided that it was best for him to not go (to Las Vegas) and to do his rehab in Denver," Cornstein said. "Basically, it was for his health."

Hodge has been working this week in Denver with Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony and assistant coach Tim Grgurich. Hodge has some rustiness.

"There is no need for him to push anything," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "We need him in the fall."

Cornstein said Hodge will continue to train in Denver for much of the summer. He anticipates Hodge will be "100 percent" for training camp, which begins Oct. 3.

It will be an important camp for Hodge, who averaged 0.9 points in 14 games as a rookie. The Nuggets have until Oct. 31 to pick up his $1.32 million contract option for 2007-08.

JACOBSEN SHINES: The Nuggets need a shooter. Casey Jacobsen made sure his résumé will get a long look.

In 20 minutes, the shooting guard made 7-of-8 shots, including 2-of-2 three-pointers, for 20 points as the Nuggets crushed the Mavericks.

Nuggets coach George Karl said Jacobsen, who played last season for Spain's Tau Ceramica after being in the NBA from 2002-03 to 2004-05, is "more confident" than during his first NBA stint. Karl said strong consideration is being given to inviting him to training camp.

"I want to play for the Nuggets," Jacobsen said. "I came here because they have a wide-open roster and I have a good chance to make it."

Also looking good was guard Kelenna Azubuike, who scored 18 points. Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke was in attendance.

Nuggets forward Ricky Sanchez, who suffered a concussion and a gash that required 25 stitches when hit during a workout June 1, didn't play. Sanchez will have his stitches removed today, with Nuggets summer coach Adrian Dantley hopeful he can play Sunday.

FREE-AGENT UPDATE: A source said Sacramento has offered Kings free-agent guard Bonzi Wells a five-year contract worth about $36 million, but Wells, who made $8 million last season, wants more. The Nuggets are interested in Wells but can't offer more than a five-year, $30 million deal.

Michael Higgins, agent for Minnesota Timberwolves free-agent guard Marcus Banks, said Nuggets director of player personnel Mark Warkentien has called about his client but mainly just to touch base. Higgins said it's most likely Banks, primarily a point guard, will return to the Timberwolves.

"I've heard their name a couple of times," Banks said of the Nuggets. "Who knows? I can play the combo (guard)."

ETC.: The Nuggets are expected to open the preseason Oct. 10 at the Pepsi Center against Turkey's Efes Pilsen. "It's great," Karl said. "I think the NBA continues to be a partner with European basketball, and I know (commissioner David) Stern's desire is to make the NBA as international as we possibly can." . . . Undrafted forward Louis Amundson, from Nevada-Las Vegas and Monarch High School in Louisville, scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds in Sacramento's 90-83 win against Minnesota. "I'm here to prove I can play in this league," he said. "A lot of teams passed on me. It's just motivation." Amundson got some guaranteed money he said assures he will attend the Kings' training camp . . . Also on Sacramento's roster is Yemi Nicholson, a center from the University of Denver. He didn't play, with Kings summer coach Scott Brooks saying he was looking at other players . . . Sanchez turned 19. "When you're 19 years old in Vegas, you can't do anything," he said.

or 303-892-5125