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Karl says Martin is likely staying

'He's on the team,' coach claims about forward despite a playoff run-in

Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 2, 2006 at midnight

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George Karl has broached the subject before. But this time he seemed to have little doubt.

The Nuggets coach said Tuesday he expects forward Kenyon Martin, who has been on the trading block, to be with the team for the start of the season.

"I would think so," Karl said matter-of-factly. "He's on the team."

Karl and Martin had a run-in during halftime of Game 2 of a playoff series last season against the Los Angeles Clippers. Martin cursed Karl and some teammates and was suspended for the rest of the series, won by the Clippers in five games.

Karl has talked several times during the offseason about Martin's chances of returning. On July 2, he said it was a "high likelihood he could be part of the team" next season.

On Tuesday, Karl left little room for doubt. Asked if his comments were an indication Martin wouldn't be traded, Karl said, "I never have (thought Martin would be traded)."

NBA insiders have said the Nuggets have actively looked to move Martin. But, with a bad left knee and five years and $72 million left on his contract, they have found little interest.

Karl and Martin met July 8 in Las Vegas, their first conversation since the April 24 incident. Karl said they have not spoken since that weekend, but he has had communication with Martin through third parties.

"That's my responsibility," Karl said of making sure fences are mended with Martin.

Karl said Martin, who underwent microfracture surgery in May 2005 on his left knee, will have workouts later this summer in which the Nuggets will evaluate his health. He said they won't be in Denver but declined to give further details.

Martin's agent, Brian Dyke, did not return a message,

If Martin returns, it's unlikely the Nuggets would bring in more than one additional frontcourt player.

The leading candidate might be free agent forward Keith Van Horn, an outside shooter Karl covets.

Karl has not talked with Van Horn. But he has had several conversations with Van Horn's agent, David Falk, and believes Van Horn is interested in the Nuggets.

"From what I've heard, he lives in (Evergreen), and that's a strong asset," Karl said from Las Vegas, where he is attending the camp of Nuggets assistant Tim Grgurich and watching Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony compete in USA Basketball practices for the World Championship. "David Falk has said he likes me. It's just a process Keith has got to go through. He's going to take his time and spend time with his family before making a move."

Also in the mix is free agent forward Reggie Evans, who said Monday he wants to return to the Nuggets. But the Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal reported Evans met Tuesday with the Cavaliers at an undisclosed location outside Cleveland.

Evans and Nuggets director of player personnel Mark Warkentien declined comment Tuesday night, and Evans' agent, Dan Fegan, did not return a message. Karl said earlier Tuesday he will fly to Los Angeles later this week to meet with Fegan.

"Evans is one of the best offensive rebounders in basketball and he's an asset," Karl said. "Again, we're hamstrung, tied up with the tax, so we've got to be careful."

The Nuggets have 13 players under contract for $62.4 million. They don't want to exceed the $65.4 million luxury tax.

Fegan also represents Nuggets free agent guard DerMarr Johnson. Karl said Johnson is "an asset" and added the Nuggets must "figure out" if he can be retained.

ETC.: Nuggets forward/center Nene, lost for the season after suffering a torn right anterior cruciate ligament in November's opener, is participating in Grgurich's camp. "I'm very confident," Karl said of Nene being at full strength by the Oct. 3 start of training camp. Karl said Nene has been doing shooting on the side but anticipates that, before the camp ends Thursday, he will engage in contact work for the time since his injury . . . Nuggets guard Julius Hodge, shot four times while driving April 8, had planned to attend the camp. But Karl said it was decided Hodge wasn't ready and it would be better for him to continue to work out in New York, where he lives. Karl said the Nuggets will work with Hodge later and he should be at full strength for training camp . . . Karl plans to name an assistant within two weeks and said he has been interviewing candidates in Las Vegas. Asked if Indiana assistant Chad Forcier is a strong candidate, Karl said, "He's on the list." . . . Agent Mark Bartelstien said he is having "ongoing talks" with Nuggets officials about two clients, free agent guards Eddie House and Tony Delk . . . Lithuania's World Championship roster will be cut from 14 to 13 today and to the final 12 next week. Herb Rudoy, agent for Nuggets forward Linas Kleiza, believes his client will make the team . . . Karl said Anthony is "one of the best players" in Team USA's camp.

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