Carter, Najera hope to remain in Denver

Unrestricted free agents wait on team's verdict

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published June 26, 2008 at 7:18 p.m.

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Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

"I'd love to stay in Denver," guard Anthony Carter says. "I want to give them the first opportunity."

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

"I want to stay in Denver," forward Eduardo Najera says. "I love playing for coach (George) Karl, and he's told me he wants me to come back."

Point guard Anthony Carter wants to return. So does forward Eduardo Najera.

Soon, the ball will be in the Nuggets' court.

Carter and Najera are Denver's two unrestricted free agents entering Tuesday's free- agency period. Both said Thursday the Nuggets are their first choice, but each is prepared to move on if the feeling isn't mutual.

Carter said he has heard Golden State and Charlotte have interest in him. But he will wait to see what the Nuggets say.

"I'd love to stay in Denver," Carter said. "I want to give them the first opportunity."

Najera called Dallas, Phoenix and San Antonio other possible landing spots. But the Nuggets get first crack.

"I want to stay in Denver," Najera said. "I love playing for coach (George) Karl, and he's told me he wants me to come back."

After entering Thursday's draft without any picks, the Nuggets gave up a 2009 second-round selection in a three-team deal and acquired Arkansas swingman Sonny Weems, who had gone No. 39 in the second round to Chicago. They now turn their attention to free agency

Teams can begin negotiating contracts Tuesday. Most players can't sign until July 9.

"We've got our work cut out for us," said Nuggets executive Rex Chapman, not wanting to discuss specifics. "But I like the guys we have on this team."

The Nuggets also have a pair of impending restricted free agents, guards J.R. Smith and Yakhouba Diawara. The Nuggets have indicated they want to keep Smith and would match any offer, so it's a no-brainer they will tender the $3.04 million qualifying offer by Monday's deadline, keeping him from becoming unrestricted.

"He wants to come back to Denver," said his father, Earl Smith, reiterating what his son has said.

Meanwhile, it's not certain Diawara will be tendered the required $972,581 qualifying offer. His agent, Buona Ndiaye, said he isn't sure what will happen and can't fully speculate on his client's options until it's known if he's restricted or unrestricted.

The Nuggets also must make summer calls on guard Taurean Green and forward Bobby Jones. If Green isn't waived by Aug. 1, his $711,517 contract becomes guaranteed and Jones' $797,581 deal would become guaranteed if he isn't waived by Aug. 15.

The Nuggets have until Oct. 31 to sign forward Linas Kleiza to an extension or he becomes a restricted free agent July 1, 2009. But Kleiza's situation isn't expected to be addressed until late in the summer.

On the front burner for the Nuggets could be their point- guard situation. If Carter isn't re-signed, free agent Tyronn Lue reiterated his interest in Denver.

"That would be a great situation," said Lue, 31, who came close to signing with the Nuggets in March before joining Dallas. But he wouldn't want less than a two-year contract. "I know George Karl has always respected me," Lue said.

Also, free-agent point guard Sam Cassell, 38, has told the Rocky Mountain News he's interested in playing one more season and will consider the Nuggets. And there are rumblings that, with Chicago having drafted point guard Derrick Rose with the top pick, Bulls point guard Kirk Hinrich could be on the move, with Denver a possible landing spot.

But money likely will play a big role in any move by the Nuggets, who will have the midlevel exception of about $5.5 million and the biannual exception of $1.91 million. They have eight players with guaranteed contracts worth more than $78 million and must carry at least 13 players.

The dollar-for-dollar, luxury- tax threshold is expected to be about $70 million. With the Nuggets wanting to keep Smith and needing four more players after that, their payroll could approach $90 million.

Najera, who made $4.95 million last season, knows money will be a factor in whether he's re-signed.

"I don't want to take a pay cut," he said. "My agent (Dan Fegan) will deal with that. . . . Obviously, it's a business and with the luxury tax, it will cost them double the money. But it's a long summer, and there's moves that could be made to clear some room."

Najera, 32 next month, said he's seeking a "three- to four- year deal" because "it could be my last contract."

Carter, 33, also wants a multiyear contract.

"I want to do something long term," said Carter, who, last season, made the minimum of $1.1 million.

tomassonc@RockyMountainNews.com

• June 27, 2008

  8:35 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Squatch writes:

  I like both of them but they both are liabilities on the court they both bring hustle and defensive game. AC is too small when iverson is in the lineup and Ac isnt a an offensive threat ever. Najera plays his heart out but struggles putting up points. Some of it is the 2 man offense the nuggets run but when the 3 other guys get the ball they need to score.

• June 27, 2008

  8:39 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  kmeissner writes:

  It would be a good move to keep Najera but Carter isn't big enough to compete with some of the players he's had to go out and guard. We need a big PG. That will solve at least one problem! Hinrich would be a good addition

• June 27, 2008

  9:39 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Squatch writes:

  Why cant JR play the point? You're going to be paying him top dollar soon enough. Iverson is you SG & Melo you SF so if he is going to make starter money he will have to play the point.

• June 27, 2008

  10:01 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jbowen43 writes:

  Hinrich would be interesting. You don't let Najera leave. Same for Bobbie Jones. You need quality people who will work hard. They do.

• June 27, 2008

  11:21 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  JohnDowe writes:

  I think JR should be groomed to play point. I realize he's still young and makes some bone-headed plays, but he's easily the most athletic Nugget out there and probably top 5 in the NBA. He also showed flashes of brilliance with the ball on the floor last season and his maturity improved drastically. Let Carter go, keep Najera (though I'm sure a payraise would be justified). I'd also like to see Diawara re-signed and given more play time to stop the hemmorhaging defense. Green still needs time to develop but he could be a great point some day. Problem is that the Nuggets need one NOW.

• June 28, 2008

  4:52 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  shaggy01 writes:

  Ax Carter (he's a liability all over the court), Najera is a good hustle player but is getting older and really isn't worth 5+ million per year for 3-4 years like he's looking for. Diawara really hasn't gotten a chance and for the money is worth resigning. Somehow JR has to start and give you another player who can score 40. I think we also need to persue Kirk Hinrich. He's a great outside shooter who can move the ball. But I'm not happy with no moves at last years trade deadline and defering our first rounder for next years extra pick. We need a big impact change and trying the same thing unsucessfully over and over doesn't make sense. I know we made a big move for AI but it seems that it didn't make a big impact at all. He just kinda came here and blended right into the lack of urgency. When is he going to step up as a leader and win that championship? He did the same thing in Philly. I'm not seeing enough upsides and if the price is right Move Him!

• July 1, 2008

  10:07 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  zachm219 writes:

  Koub is already gone, nuggets didn't even bother to call him much less make a qualifying offer. WE should work a camby-hinrich trade out, it would clear up cap room and bring in the tall pg we desperately need.

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