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Camby sees Iverson remaining in Denver

Center's view: 'I'm pretty sure he wants to stay'

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published June 19, 2008 at 8:06 p.m.

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Nuggets center Marcus Camby has been the subject of trade rumors as well, but he doesn't pay them heed.

Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood / Nbae Via Getty Images/2007

Nuggets center Marcus Camby has been the subject of trade rumors as well, but he doesn't pay them heed.

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Nuggets center Marcus Camby ran into teammate Allen Iverson on Wednesday. Iverson sure didn't sound like a player about to bolt Denver.

The deadline is today for Iverson to opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent July 1. While there was no word Thursday from the Iverson camp, and a Nuggets executive declined comment, most NBA observers don't expect Iverson to opt out of a deal that would pay him $20.84 million.

"I'm pretty sure he wants to stay," said Camby, speaking at Lucky Strike Lanes in Denver before an event involving his Marcus' Mentors program. "He was talking about us as a team next year and that he's going to be a part of it."

Iverson, 33, continuously has said he wants to remain in Denver. In a May 30 interview with the Rocky Mountain News, Iverson's personal manager, Gary Moore, reiterated that and said his camp has had discussions with Nuggets brass about Iverson possibly signing a multiyear deal.

That would seem to be the only scenario in which Iverson would opt out. The 6-foot guard would become a free agent, then sign a longer deal with the Nuggets.

But no indication surfaced that such an event was about to occur. For that to happen, Iverson would need to take a pay cut for next season, much as Vince Carter did last offseason when he made a similar move with New Jersey.

It is within NBA rules for both sides to agree to extend Iverson's opt-out deadline to as late as June 30, but neither side has spoken publicly about possibly wanting to do that.

Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien declined comment.

"We were talking (Wednesday) about how Boston won the championship and how (the Celtics) were really together as a team," Camby said about his talk with his teammate, in which Iverson didn't specifically mention the deadline to opt out. "We were just talking about how we need to become like that, not just spotty, but on a daily and nightly basis. . . . I hope (Iverson) comes back."

As to whether Camby comes back is another story. Speaking with the News shortly after the season ended, a source said Camby was the Nuggets' most likely big-salary player to be dealt this offseason.

"I've been in the league 12 years, and I heard (rumors) every summer," Camby said. "You deal with it. My stance has always been the same. I love it (in Denver). I don't want to go anywhere, but I always want to be where I'm wanted. Bottom line.

"I still think I'm productive, even at 34. So, like I said, I want to be where I'm wanted."

Camby also has heard trade rumors involving Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony. He has talked with Anthony and doesn't believe the speculation has affected him.

"I hope (Anthony) doesn't go anywhere," Camby said. "He's the franchise. . . . He's our go-to guy. Everything we do revolves around him, especially offensively. He's a great kid. He's going to be a future Hall of Famer. I would like to see him here for a long time."

With questions swirling about what the Nuggets might do this offseason, Camby hopes the team's core remains intact.

"I just hope I'm here, and I hope everyone else is here," Camby said. "We've got a lot of work to do. We got a lot of coming together to do also. But I still feel confident with the roster we have now."

ETC.: A source said the Nuggets are deep in negotiations to play Toronto in an October preseason game in Edmonton, Alberta. . . . With trade rumors heating up leading to the draft Thursday, ESPN reported the Nuggets have discussed sending forward Linas Kleiza and the 20th pick to Memphis for point guard Kyle Lowry and the No. 28 pick. Denver had interest in Lowry before the trade deadline in February.

Comments

  • June 19, 2008

    9:32 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    kmeissner writes:

    I hope AI stays. Trading Camby would only pan out if Nene is healthy enough to take over. Also, why would they trade Kleiza at all? He could start for us. Unless Lowry has some size they shouldn't even discuss it. We do need a bigger PG. AC and Chucky are way too small.

  • June 19, 2008

    10:03 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jbowen43 writes:

    Health is always the key. Nene hasn't proved he can stay healthy so he should be relegated to a role player coming off the bench. That means they need a power forward who can play the position. Kenyon looks like the guy to me. Camby needs to learn to play a little low post and dump that jumper. They need role players who can actually play. Remember when Posie came here he had been defensive player of the year in his college conference and when he left there he was our leading scorer. A role player that can play!

  • June 20, 2008

    9:31 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Pusherman writes:

    I'm getting over my playoff hangover, so I'm starting to forgive Melo, Camby et.al. I think you keep Camby because you won't get equal value. I'm not a big fan of his game, but I think that he can be a valuable piece for the next couple of years. Let's wait out Iverson's contract and have a bunch of money after next year ($20 million). Anthony needs to grow-up a bit, but he is a star and we need to keep him. He will grow and we will see the benefits in a few years (see, P. Pierce, they have a similar game). Trade Kleiza for a good point guard if you can. It was mentioned that Kleiza could be a starter, well Lowry would be a starter and he is a good point guard with defensive skills. Draft one of the Lopez brothers or Hibbert to fill the post.

  • June 20, 2008

    12:25 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Spider writes:

    There really is a lot of good talent and good people on the current team. They just need to decide that TEAM comes before ME. I'm really hoping that they paid close attention to the way the Celtics played TEAM ball during the finals and take heed. I'm also hoping that GK keeps his promise and takes control of this team. What's the point of having a coach that noone listens to or respects? At least he has stopped kissing up to colon cowhair.

  • June 20, 2008

    1:40 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    OhBrother writes:

    good comments- While a more mature Melo would be better for our team, we have other problems. Camby can't be the only center and as much as I like Nene-he is incosistent at best. AC was absent in the playoffs and Atkins just..well, isn't what we really need. Klezia is a good all around player but his D is suspect...heck our team D stinks! Melo is who he is, and AI and Camby aren't going to suddenly start playing lock down all around D either. we should dish Nene, Najera, Atkins and posb Klezia and get some D help. AI at 2, JR at 3 would work but we seriously can't have Cmaby be a full time center for the entire season. Come on Karl-make some moves!

  • June 20, 2008

    1:43 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    OhBrother writes:

    Spider-I just got the Colin joke! good one, he is kinda a DB huh?

  • June 20, 2008

    2:52 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    zachm219 writes:

    The Kleiza trade is a horrible horrible horrible horrible idea! Why would we trade him for a 6'0, thats right the same height as AI, pg who averages worse in virtually every statistical category while at the same time averages more minutes AND move down in the draft. What is the front office thinking?

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