Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

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

Johnson, Nuggets near deal

Guard says he'll sign as the team attempts to solidify backcourt

Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News

Published September 29, 2006 at midnight

Text size  

More Denver Nuggets

More stories »

The Nuggets are low on guards. But some help is on the way.

DerMarr Johnson, a shooting guard who has played the past two seasons with the Nuggets, said Thursday he's "going to (re-sign) before training camp" begins Tuesday in Durango.

The Nuggets also are on the verge of signing point guard Anthony Carter, a seven-year veteran who played the past two seasons for Minnesota, to a nonguaranteed deal.

Johnson said he will sign a guaranteed deal for more than the minimum of $932,015. He wouldn't offer further details.

"That's what they're talking about now," Johnson said of discussions between agent Dan Fegan and Nuggets officials. "I don't even want to say nothing (more) and be wrong. It feels good (to return). I've been working on my game all summer (primarily in Denver)."

Signing Johnson would give the Nuggets 15 guaranteed contracts, with the roster limit 15. It would put the Nuggets, now at the luxury tax line of $65.4 million, in further jeopardy of paying the tax. But the Nuggets have until the end of the season to clear payroll. Overloaded with big men, they soon might deal one.

"We have the ability to make a move," coach George Karl said.

Johnson's signing would give the Nuggets six guards with guaranteed deals. Johnson said Golden State and Portland also have shown interest in him.

Karl wants Johnson back. As to whether Johnson will re-sign, Karl referred questions to vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien, who declined to comment.

The Nuggets' only two true point guards are Andre Miller and Earl Boykins. That's why Carter's agent, Bill Duffy, expects his client to sign with the Nuggets, who might need to move a guaranteed contract for Carter to make it.

"That doesn't matter," Duffy said of Carter getting a make-good deal for the minimum of $998,967. "He's a fighter."

Carter has career averages of 4.7 points and 3.7 assists. Asked about Carter's signing, Karl said, "That's the rumor."

CAMP ROSTER: The camp roster is nearly finalized, but it might not be released until Monday.

Karl also expects forward Jefferson Sobral and guards Elias Ayuso and Corey Williams to be invited. Williams competed in the Nuggets' open tryout camps in 2002 and 2004, when he was one of five finalists invited to summer camp.

Guard Antoine Hood, a rookie from Air Force, has been working out with the Nuggets, who can bring 20 to camp. He's optimistic about getting an invite.

ETC.: Karl said the Nuggets came "pretty close" to landing free agent swingman Bonzi Wells, and Duffy, his agent, concurred. Wells agreed to a two-year, $5 million deal with Houston after leaving Sacramento. Karl said sign-and-trade deals were discussed. Insiders believe the Nuggets would have had a much better chance had they not recently used the bulk of their $5.2 million midlevel exception to re-sign forward Reggie Evans . . . To conclude their stay in Durango, the Nuggets will scrimmage before fans at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Fort Lewis College. Warkentien said they also will have a scrimmage before fans in the Denver area, but a date and site haven't been set . . . Karl said recently hired Mike Dunlap will join Doug Moe and Adrian Dantley as assistants on the bench . . . Nene played five-on-five games this week for the first time since suffering a torn right anterior cruciate ligament in November. Karl said Nene looked good, but he will be "aggressively cautious" with him.

or 303-954-5125