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Payroll crimping Nuggets' options

Guaranteed contracts limit team in search for point guard, draft help

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published May 2, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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ANALYSIS

Even if the Nuggets want to blow up the team, there might not be enough dynamite in Denver.

Nuggets brass soon will hold meetings to discuss next season, and coach George Karl said everything will be brought up "from one end to the other end."

In reality, the Nuggets are in a tough spot as they pick up the pieces from their ugly first-round playoff sweep by the Los Angeles Lakers. They're an aging team with a bloated payroll and possess some very difficult players to trade.

Yes, there will be some offseason moves. But unless guard Allen Iverson stunningly opts out of the final year of his contract and bolts to free up $20.84 million, there doesn't look to be much relief for owner Stan Kroenke's wallet.

The Nuggets this season had a payroll of about $82 million, about $14 million over the NBA's dollar-for-dollar luxury tax threshold. Barring the unforeseen, the payroll will continue to soar.

Counting Iverson, the Nuggets will have eight players with guaranteed contracts next season totaling more than $78 million. Because they want to keep restricted free- agent guard J.R. Smith, need help at point guard, have the No. 20 draft pick and must have at least 13 players on the roster, they're staring at a payroll approaching $90 million, which would be about $20 million over the projected tax threshold for 2008-09.

In addition to Iverson, huge Nuggets contracts next season belong to forward Kenyon Martin (he has a $14.43 million salary-cap number), forward Carmelo Anthony ($14.41 million) and big men Marcus Camby ($10 million) and Nene ($9.68 million).

At least the Nuggets saved about $1.25 million off this and next season's cap number for Camby when the center, who averaged 9.1 points, didn't reach statistical bonuses that would have kicked in at 10 points.

Martin and Nene are close to untradeable. It would be stunning if the Nuggets dealt Anthony. And any trade of Iverson, who would be attractive because of his expiring contract, would be an admission the blockbuster December 2006 trade didn't work.

A source said Camby is the most likely big-dollar player to be dealt. But with Nene's health not a total certainty as he returns from testicular cancer, that could create a big void in the post.

"It's not as easy as it used to be to make a deal," Nuggets executive Rex Chapman said of the Nuggets' situation.

Because of their bloated payroll, it sure isn't. But will Kroenke continue to pay out big dollars for a team that can't win a playoff series or will he say enough is enough?

The Nuggets want to keep Smith, who, if he doesn't like any offer, could return for the $3.04 million qualifying offer and be unrestricted in 2009. Smith could land an offer sheet around the midlevel exception of $5.5 million, which would further bloat the payroll if Denver matched.

A point guard is needed, which could eat up a few more million, with the Nuggets having their midlevel exception and the biannual exception ($1.91 million).

The Nuggets have interest in re-signing free agent Anthony Carter, but he also is expected to hear from Charlotte, Cleveland, Golden State and the Clippers, among others.

Carter's agent, Bill Duffy, wants a "multiyear" deal. That might be tough for the Nuggets.

But not as tough as re-signing free-agent forward Eduardo Najera. The mostly likely scenario is Najera departing and clearing $4.95 million off the books.

If the Nuggets keep their No. 20 draft pick, that would cost them about $1.3 million next season. Would Kroenke look into selling the pick for $3 million?

For now, the Nuggets will wait on Iverson. His camp has interest in Iverson opting out and signing a three-year deal but perhaps will seek to entice the Nuggets by saying he would take less money next season to somewhat relieve the payroll.

But a source has said the Nuggets aren't likely to offer an extension, which would burden the payroll even more in following years. The source said it is highly unlikely Iverson would opt out and leave Denver, which would result in a pay cut.

Putting it all together, the Nuggets are coming off a 50-32 season, their best in 20 years. Team brass believes the Nuggets, with Nene and injury-riddled guard Chucky Atkins back at full strength and young players Smith and forward Linas Kleiza continuing to improve, could have a chance to better that.

That could end up being the best hope available for a team in a very tough spot.

Soaring salaries

The Nuggets had the NBA's third-highest payroll this season, and there doesn't look to be much relief. The Nuggets' salary-cap numbers for 2008-09.

*Allen Iverson $20.84 million

Kenyon Martin $14.43 million

Carmelo Anthony $14.41 million

Marcus Camby $10 million

Nene $9.68 million

Steven Hunter $3.86 million

Chucky Atkins $3.24 million

Linas Kleiza $1.82 million

**Bobby Jones $797,581

**Taurean Green $711,517

Restricted free agents

* Yakhouba Diawara

* J.R. Smith

Unrestricted free agents

* Anthony Carter

* Eduardo Najera

Comments

  • May 2, 2008

    2:10 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    flybys writes:

    The Nuggets are in a real pinch these days.

    All they have after yet another first-round playoff flop is excuses. Money is a very real issue but any acceptance of the theory that nothing can be done to re-make this roster is also acceptance of another inconsistent product next fall and another disappointing spring in 2009.

    In the end, winners get creative in thought and find ways to do something big and wonderful despite the obstacles and limitations.

    Listen to the early post-season remarks and you get a sense that Denver just might be telling its' fans that this is as good as it gets.

    Counting on Nene, Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby to all be healthy throughout a season while also expecting Carmelo Anthony to break his pattern of on-court and off-court immaturity is simply too much to ask. Might as well believe in Santa Claus and the Easter bunny too.

    Stan Kroenke should do himself a favor and model his organization after those he aspires to be. Those franchises, like all champions, don't accept less than high-level excellence.

  • May 2, 2008

    7:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    duboisb writes:

    Trade George Karl.

    I'd take a waffle and a cup of coffee in return. It would improve the Nuggets.

  • May 2, 2008

    8 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    DeimosJB writes:

    The Nuggets should put everyone on the trading block. That doesn't mean they should trade everyone, but they should see what options are out there, and if anything compelling comes up, jump on it. Looking at the payroll, Melo has not lived up to his contract, but he's only 23 years old. He will be better next year, and better than that the following year. I don't think it's useful to trade him unless the Nugs can get something VERY good in return. Nene is not healthy, which means we couldn't get a hill of beans by trading him. He is recovering well from cancer, and next year may just be the year that he can make it through the year. If he does, it will be a big boost for us. At this point, we really have no choice with Nene.
    A.I. is the highest paid player. He is a good player, but not $20M good - trade him, or if he opts out of his contract, let him go. K-Mart is next. Trade him for Walmart or anything we can get in return on a blue-light special. Melo is next highest paid. After Melo is Camby. Camby is a 1-dimensional player, and actually he doesn't even play lockdown Defense because he doesn't have the muscle mass to bang away in there. Trade him, and if the Nugs can't get anything good for him, give Camby away for some candy.
    That frees up $45M in payroll. We could surely find replacements and round out our team for much less than that. We'd win the same 50 games, we'd have a team that played hard every night. We're still going to lose in the playoffs until Melo turns the corner to greatness, but at least we'll have a team that we can feel good about cheering for.
    To those saying "fire Karl", maybe you should propose something realistic. Karl has said he's coming back, management has said he's coming back. Get used to it, he's coming back. I agree that Karl was part of the problem this year. Thinking realistically here, what are our options? I propose we purchase Karl a series of Motivational Speaking DVDs and hopefully he'll come back next year with a fire in his gut like the Karl of the 1990's.

  • May 2, 2008

    8:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    GeeTee writes:

    Allen Iverson $20.84 million -- opt out and sign him for 3 yrs -- he puts people in seats and is still a great player

    Kenyon Martin $14.43 million -- please get rid of this tumor!!

    Carmelo Anthony $14.41 million -- trade him while he can still bring in something -- he is an injury away from being totally worthless, but I guess in order to get injured, one actually has to put out soem effort

    Marcus Camby $10 million -- great guy, but need muscle in the middle

    Nene $9.68 million -- WTF were they thinking when they signed him?! He's like a crash dummy for the medical world!!

    Steven Hunter $3.86 million -- who is he and why is he making this much money??

    Chucky Atkins $3.24 million -- a waste of $$ -- cut him and take the hot

    Linas Kleiza $1.82 million -- keep him at all costs -- he could take Melo's place as the scorer

    **Bobby Jones $797,581 -- again, who is this guy?

    **Taurean Green $711,517 -- ditto

    Restricted free agents

    * Yakhouba Diawara -- trade or cut him -- not an NBA talent

    * J.R. Smith -- when he's good, he's very very good; but when he's bad he's horrid -- out he goes!!

    Unrestricted free agents

    * Anthony Carter -- keep him if we can -- he did a good job atthe point and understands there is only one ball on the court

    * Eduardo Najera -- team sparkplug -- we should pay this guy and keep him happy

  • May 2, 2008

    9:41 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jbowen43 writes:

    You didn't address three important topics.
    1)Iverson's choice may be to negotiate a long term deal at a lower annual salary of say 13 million. That would be a good idea.
    2) These problems were creates by Mr. Kroenke's and Kiki Vandewegh's bad choices in the draft, free agents, and trades. Think Skita, and Nene among others.
    3) Mr. Kroenke has the ability to pay for whatever team he wants. In this case money can be no object.

  • May 2, 2008

    10:26 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ParkHillPosse writes:

    Good luck to the Nuggets trying to attract season ticket sales for next season. The team is in dire need of serious roster changes, but its player contracts are prohibitive and constraining. Who in Denver wants to pay to watch this same team take the floor next season, to watch a NBA team play pick-up ball with no defense, no mental toughness, no discipline, and no prayer to surmount the Lakers, Jazz, Hornets, Spurs, Suns...?

  • May 2, 2008

    11:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    rhsalas writes:

    If healthy, this team could excell. The million dollar question,
    can they stay healthy? Consider these moves..
    Move camby,and take a draft pick for him to get a point guard.
    Move chucky, this was a bad deal to begin with. To old!
    Yes, move melo. he has the talent, but like hillary, to much
    baggage.The refs simply hate this crybaby, and it was never more
    apparent than in the LA series.We could get a very good draft
    pick, and select the best available center. Good teams win with
    point guards, and good centers... look around the league.
    Move A.C. to old, and Diawara will match his output on both sides
    of the ball with court time.
    And last but most important, move doug mo and hire a defensive
    minded coach, say perhaps van gundy. Karl needs help, with melo
    gone, the team might be easier to coach...

    your thoughts?

  • May 2, 2008

    11:36 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Squatch writes:

    Salary Cap is the reality of the NBA and they arent the only ones facing it its league wide. The NBA need to get these Saleries under control and their Salary Cap penalty isnt working. The NBA has let Owners over pay way to long and it is too hard for a team to be competitive without giving way more money than skill level in return.

  • May 2, 2008

    12:40 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    BirdonaWire writes:

    Hey boys, your heads are in the clouds. There is no way anyone would take those contracts without requiring the Nuggets to picks up some of the money. If they could get rid Melo and Martin somehow, there will be some sort of bad contract in return. Kiki burdened this franchise with Martin, Nene and Skitzvili. Can you imagine if he'd had the second pick that year. And the Denver Nuggets select, Darko!!!

  • May 2, 2008

    1:36 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    TheAnswer3 writes:

    Would anyone be opposed to trading A.I. to Houston? They have tons of point guards and we really need help in that position. We could trade A.I. for Bobby Jackson, Luther Head, and maybe Shane Battier for defensive purposes.

  • May 2, 2008

    4:16 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    homeIslander writes:

    I think we have three untouchables.

    A.I. would not be here unless Kroenke wanted him here, in particular, in a very bad way. I thought it was crazy for Denver to pick him up, but I was very wrong when I believed all the bad press. A.I. may not be $20M good, but he is Kroenke-good-enough, and he's going nowhere.

    Melo at $14M next year is a good deal, of course. He will be better next year and the year after, and then he will hit his prime. Somebody that loves him as a person needs to get his complete attention and get him to screw his head on straight. An immature teenager version of Melo is worth $7M not $14M.

    Nene did not have any opportunity to excel this year. When he finally does have a year of excellence, $10M will be a huge bargain. Next year should be that year.

    The rest of the team is far from sacrosanct. Chucky was injured so much that it would be a shame to trade him without having really seen him play -- but a trade could happen. Camby has done nothing but good for the team and has even shed his prone-to-injury reputation over the last year or two. Heart and soul of the team, but tradeable now more than ever. J.R. Smith? Too much of a screw-up, doesn't deserve another chance to redeem himself here. Martin? Much much improved, but not $14M good. I guess the Nugs probably won't have any opportunity to trade him away anyways. A.C. surpassed all expectations and it's not realistic to expect him to duplicate these results again -- so trade him while we can.

  • May 2, 2008

    4:48 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Coffee_Mug writes:

    How about if the contracts are re-written to include clauses that state that money will be deducted for performance failures. Just like bonuses are given when a certain criteria is met, why not the opposite? Maybe they will care more and give more of an effort, especially in the playoffs. You know, assists, making shots, and I dare say defense, stuff that wins championships.

  • May 2, 2008

    4:49 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    CaptainObvious writes:

    Pro athletes:

    Role Models? Perhaps.
    Felons? Very few.
    Smart? Many.
    Thugs? Some.
    Good People? Most.
    Overpaid? Abso-freakin-lutely

  • May 3, 2008

    5:33 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    TedJ writes:

    I'm sick of people on here talking about "cutting" players. Don't you relize this is the NBA, not the NFL. You can't "cut" a player, if you do you simply eat their salary. Be realistic. Denver would be happy if they could clear Iverson, Martin, Nene, or Camby off the books (one, maybe two). Also, to you people who are talking about trading Carmelo; don't be ignorant. First of all, he'll be 24 next season. Not exactly past his prime. Second of all, even if for some reason they wanted to trade him, what are they going to get in return? Draft picks? Young prospects? If any of you were around for the pre-Carmelo era you know how well that works. The truth is if you trade Carmelo you're not going to get close to the same value in return. The Nuggets are in a tough spot but you don't try and get out of it by trading a 24 year old NBA all-star or blowing up a team that won 50 games.

  • May 3, 2008

    6:12 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    RG2008 writes:

    Trade Iverson for Artest. Trade Camby and Martin for a true center.
    Make Jr the point guard or trade him for one.
    Artest, Melo, Jr, Nene and a true center with Kleiza and Nakera off the bench.

  • May 3, 2008

    11:14 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    TedJ writes:

    Once again that is unrealistic. Iverson cannot be traded for Artest, the salaries don't match up. Not to mention the Kings aren't looking to sign a overpriced, aging gaurd. First we need to sign JR before we can talk about him in any role or trade. The only way we're going to get Martin off our hands and recieve anything of value is to package someone with him(Kleiza) Teams aren't stupid. They aren't going to take on Martins contract and give up anything if they don't get something more than an injury-prone maximum salary in return.

  • May 4, 2008

    7:48 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bobbyjr writes:

    the nuggets never learned their lesson, from the last time they got strapped financially.They deserve what they got.I consider Kenyon a bust,Marcus a bust, and certainly Nene was a bust.Nene can't stay healthy, Marcus can't guard anyone.(GASOL)Kenyon has plenty of attitude and little ability.If he played as well as he shows his tude we might have something there.I watched him play at cincy and he was good then.Carmelo is gonna win a gold medal this summer and that would be the worst thing that could happen. he won't improve on his defense.heck he couldn't get his shot during the playoffs.He is one of my Favorite players but he is one dimentional. Trade his butt to.

  • May 6, 2008

    10:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    yeayea writes:

    Ted thank you for moderating this a bit.

    These comments are unbelievable.

    Denver has hands down the most ignorant basketball fans in the country.

    I wish they at least understood the basics of the collective bargaining agreement. I'm talking at least BASICS here.

    If you don't bother even knowing at all how the sport you're watching works, why do you feel compelled to comment on it in a public forum?

    Denver is unbelievable..