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Free agent Najera has attention of Nuggets, plenty of others

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 8, 2008 at 8:22 p.m.

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Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony meets with youngsters Tuesday at the third annual Camp Melo Youth Basketball Camp at Lakewood's Gold Crown Field House. Campers participate in three half-day sessions of basketball instruction, including tips from high school and college coaches.

Photo by Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky

Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony meets with youngsters Tuesday at the third annual Camp Melo Youth Basketball Camp at Lakewood's Gold Crown Field House. Campers participate in three half-day sessions of basketball instruction, including tips from high school and college coaches.

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The Nuggets want to retain free-agent forward Eduardo Najera, with coach George Karl having called him twice during the first week of free agency. But there are other suitors.

On the eve of today's first day for signing free agents, Najera said there's "no doubt" his preference is to re-sign. But he said New Orleans has jumped into the picture and the former Seattle team has gained momentum after its move to Oklahoma City, the area where Najera lives and played in college.

Najera said he hasn't received any offers. He had a "nice talk with coach Karl," who told him the Nuggets have been waiting for the dominoes to fall with big- name free agents.

Other teams interested include New Orleans, Dallas, San Antonio, Milwaukee and the team that intrigued Najera by last week making its Oklahoma City move official.

"It definitely makes me more interested," Najera said.

The Nuggets also want to re-sign free agent Anthony Carter and restricted free agent J.R. Smith. Carter has said he'll likely accept a minimum contract offer.

San Antonio might look at Smith after its offer to Corey Maggette fell through. Maggette is bound for Golden State.

Also, indications are guard Sam Cassell, who said last month he would consider Denver, will re-sign with Boston.

The NBA announced next season's salary cap will be $58.68 million, the luxury-tax threshold $71.15 million and the midlevel exception $5,585,000.

The Nuggets have eight players with guaranteed contracts totaling more than $78 million.

NO GUARANTEE: In 2004, Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony guaranteed an Olympic gold medal. That won't happen this summer.

"I had to bring some excitement (in 2004)," the Beijing- bound Anthony said at his Lakewood basketball camp. "I'm not going to guarantee anything now. We're going to let our game do the talking. . . . Our chances are pretty high. I'm pretty sure everybody expects us to bring back the gold."

After winning bronze in 2004, Anthony said "anything less than gold would be a disappointment and a failure."

Before training camp begins July 20 in Las Vegas, Anthony will attend the Tecate Sports Award Show on Monday in Pasadena,

Calif., as a nominee, and the

ESPY Awards on July 16 in Los Angeles as a fan.

Anthony, whose father was Puerto Rican, joins Pau Gasol and Manu Ginobili as a Basketball Hispanic Player of the Year nominee.

Anthony is relieved rumors have died down about him being traded.

"I don't think I'm going anywhere," he said. "It started getting heavy out there. I was trying to get some clarity. I got it."

ETC.: Colorado's Richard Roby will play for New Jersey in Salt Lake City's Rocky Mountain Revue from July 18-25. The Nuggets' Kenyon Martin, Roby's half brother, played with the Nets from 2000 to 2004. "There's no pressure," said Roby, who added a broken hand he suffered May 29 has healed. "I was undrafted. I've got to show my name should've been called." Roby's deal is for summer only, and he could sign with any team for next season. . . . Former NBA guard Nick Van Exel, who played with the Nuggets from 1998 until he was traded in February 2002, has been named a Nuggets assistant coach for summer league only.

Comments

  • July 9, 2008

    7:42 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    DeimosJB writes:

    Interest in Najera? Hmm...I wonder, why would teams possibly be interested in one of the few players on Denver's roster who actually plays hard every time he enters the game?
    Secondly, based on the title of the article, "Najera has attention of Denver, plenty of others", why is there a picture of Carmelo Anthony at the top?

  • July 9, 2008

    10:32 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jbowen43 writes:

    I have this bad feeling that the Nuggets front office are going to blow it again. They just don't seem to have a clue.

  • July 9, 2008

    1:29 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    OhBrother writes:

    trade him! we hardley even use this guy, he is a good player and deserves a little more time atleast. Either play him more or trade him for a big D player...why would we resign carter and not Najera?

  • July 9, 2008

    3:09 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Coffee_Mug writes:

    what a novel idea, get rid of an actual "player", you know one that hustles, and plays defense. why would we want to keep this guy, he makes the "superstars" look bad. now some are suggesting that camby go too. if that happens, who will rebound. lets just make a not -so-good team really no good at all. good luck george!