Nuggets Tender Offer To Quincy Miller, Per Agent

The Denver Nuggets have tendered a non-guaranteed contract to second-round pick Quincy Miller, Miller's agent Dwon Clifton told Nate Timmons of Denver Stiffs.

By offering a contract to Miller, the Nuggets retained the rights to the rookie, whom Denver chose out of Baylor with the 38th overall pick in the 2012 NBA drat. At this point, it's up to Miller and his agent to decide whether to accept the deal and begin his career with the Nuggets, or to restart the negotiation process in search of a guaranteed deal.

The Nuggets have one spot available on their roster, and Miller appears to have enough upside to have an inside track at the job, provided he takes the offer. The 19-year-old forward averaged 10.6 points and 4.9 rebounds as a freshman during the 2011-12 season, sharing Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors with Oklahoma State's Le'Bryan Nash.

For more on the Nuggets, be sure to visit Denver Stiffs. For more pro basketball coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA hub.

George Karl Thinks Nuggets 'Can Be A Top Four Team In The West'

Nuggets head coach George Karl joined KFFN in Denver Wednesday to discuss his team's offseason moves and in the process, made a bold assessment of Denver's chances next season:

"We are excited about this season and we think we can be a top four team in the West. If we get to a top four team in the West we should expect to try to win the first round and see what happens after that."

While this prediction won't be considered too adventurous to some after the acquisition of Andre Iguodala, the Nuggets have steadily been moving in the wrong direction for three years now. After locking up the fourth seed in the West back in 2010, Denver has fallen to the fifth seed in 2011, then sixth seed in 2012. All of this happened while managing to not win a single playoff series. Karl is confident that will change in this upcoming year, though, with Igodala being the "top-10 defender" they were sorely missing.

The 61-year-old head coach went on to say in the interview that his Nuggets will still "commit to playing fast." And while he acknowledged he still hears the critics claiming his system won't work, Karl remains steadfast that speed is a necessity:

"We talked about it and last year we did a good job at it but there's no way I want to slow down. I want to try to prove the world wrong that you can run and win in the NBA and you can win big if you keep running."

Despite the calendar still being in August, it seems that Karl is a man already decidedly determined to show the NBA a thing or two this season.

Denver Nuggets Projected 5th In West By ESPN

While the addition of Andre Iguodala has improved the Denver Nuggets, the team is still one step below the elite in the Western Conference, a position they've been in ever since Carmelo Anthony soured on the Nuggets after their 2009 run to the WCF.

That, at least, is how ESPN.com's newest computer projections have it, as the site recently ran simulations to predict the win-loss records of all 30 NBA teams.

Denver is projected to go 50-32, which would place them in a tie for fourth with the LA Clippers, behind the new-look LA Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. That translates into a winning percentage of 61%, a bump from the 58% number the Nuggets posted in 2012, when they finished with the No. 6 seed out West.

If the Nuggets do outperform their projections it's likely to come from the improvement from young players -- Ty Lawson, Danilo Gallinari, Javale McGee -- who may have not yet hit their peak in terms of production at the NBA level.

Head over to Denver Stiffs for more Nuggets coverage, and be sure to check out SB Nation's NBA hub for more news from around the league.

Ty Lawson Contract: Masai Ujiri Reiterates Nuggets Want To Extend PG

The Denver Nuggets took a big step this offseason with the acquisition of Andre Iguodala, with the big news coming out of yesterday's press conference that the all-star would doesn't want to just be a short-term option and would be open to ending his career in Denver.

Another nugget to come from yesterday's meeting with the press is that GM Masai Ujiri is seeking to sign guard Ty Lawson to a long-term contract. From the Denver Post:

Ujiri already has said he wants to sign point guard Ty Lawson to a long-term deal, and Lawson told The Denver Post last May that he was excited about that possibility. If Ujiri and team president Josh Kroenke can re-sign their backcourt, that will give Denver a thrilling nucleus going forward, knowing small forwards Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler and center JaVale McGee are already signed for years to come.

If the team was able to lock up both Lawson and Iguodala long-term, it would go a long way towards making the team a legit playoff contender over at least the next few years. Lawson is scheduled to be a restricted free agent at the end of this next season, averaging 16.4 points and 6.6 assists per game last year in 61 games.

Head over to Denver Stiffs for more Nuggets coverage, and be sure to check out SB Nation's NBA hub for more news from around the league.

Nuggets Rumors: G Lester Hudson Drawing Denver's Interest?

The Denver Nuggets have spent most of the 2012 NBA Free Agency period signing their own free agents to new deals, but they may still be looking for players to fill spots at the back end of the rotation. Andre Miller and JaVale McGee will certainly be the marquee signings for the summer, yet the Nuggets may still be targeting 27-year-old guard Lester Hudson for a backup role. The Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder are both interested in signing Hudson, according to Sam Amico of Fox Sports:

Teams not exactly lining up to sign free-agent G Lester Hudson, but I'm hearing Thunder & Nuggets interested. He can help someone off bench.

— Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) July 25, 2012

Hudson's NBA resume is fairly lean (he has only played in 52 games over three seasons), but he has posted impressive numbers in limited action during NBA D-League action. He has averaged 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game over 25 D-League appearances, so perhaps George Karl and Masai Ujiri have seen something they've liked during that time.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For all things Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Offseason: George Karl Says Team Has 'Too Many' PF/C Prospects On Roster

The Denver Nuggets have enjoyed a busy 2012 NBA Free Agency period, but they may be creating a minutes crunch in the frontcourt for the upcoming season. Incumbent big men Kenneth Faried, Al Harrington, Kosta Koufos and Timofey Mozgov join re-signed center JaVale McGee and new power forward addition Anthony Randolph in a crowded positional grouping that head coach George Karl will have trouble balancing. Karl admitted it will be a challenge to find minutes for everyone in a recent interview with Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post, even saying that the team has "too many" bigs:

"There's no question, it's too many [players at the power forward and center positions]. It's a situation that if everybody is healthy, it's going to be a tough thing. There's no question that 1-2 players, might even be three, might not be happy with the minutes they get. But I always tell people that it's a much better situation than the opposite one. Having good players usually figures its way out - sometimes that's by trade, sometimes it just works out."

In reality, this is probably a good problem for the Nuggets. Given the length of the NBA season, the premium price set on big men and inevitability of injuries, too many might be just the right amount.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Denver for continued coverage of all matters related to Denver sports. For more updates from around the league, drop by SB Nation's NBA news hub. And for analysis and commentary focused on the Denver Nuggets, head over to the Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs.

JaVale McGee Contract: Nuggets Center Humbled By Extension, Eager To Learn

The 2011-12 Denver Nuggets benefited from some excellent play down low as C JaVale McGee -- acquired in the trade that sent F-C Nene to the Washington Wizards -- played the final 20 games of the season in sparkling fashion, averaging 18 points and 10.1 rebounds per 36 minutes.

On Wednesday, the club signed him to a four-year extension, an event that brought his mother to tears and that he himself described as "humbling":

"My mother’s always more excited than I am," JaVale McGee said Thursday. "When I was signing, she started to cry. I didn’t know if I was supposed to cry or not. I had those feelings in me but I’m not a big crier. It was a humbling moment."

And when asked about his role with the Nuggets, McGee suggested the team was keeping things simple:

"The coaching staff put me in situations where I could succeed," McGee said. "There weren’t any plays run for me, but the coaches would say, ‘Rebound and run. No one will be able to keep up with you.’ "

But his 2011-12 success will not stop McGee from continuing to work on his game. He plans to study under long-time NBA center and instructor Hakeem Olajuwon in the 2012 offseason.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Denver for continued coverage of all matters related to Denver sports. For more updates from around the league, drop by SB Nation's NBA news hub. And for analysis and commentary focused on the Denver Nuggets, head over to the Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs.

JaVale McGee Contract Reaction: SB Nation's Nuggets Blog Talks Details, Provides Well-Reasoned Analysis

The Denver Nuggets and 24-year old big man JaVale McGee agreed to a four-year, $44 million contract on Wednesday, and with the price of centers rising in the NBA's free agent market the deal doesn't look too bad. It's much cheaper than the contracts handed out to Brook Lopez and Roy Hibbert, but right around what DeAndre Jordan got last year. In any case, McGee is now the highest-paid player on the Nuggets in terms of average annual salary. That means the opinions on the new deal are going to be strong.

Here is an excerpt from a particularly well-reasoned and deep look at the deal from Nate Timmons of SB Nation's Nuggets blog, Denver Stiffs:

As far as negotiations go - when news broke of the $10 million per season offer, that appeared to be the floor. The Nuggets couldn't possibly pay less, could they?...McGee's actual earnings for the 2012-13 season have yet to be released, he could be making somewhere in the $9-$10 million range with percentage-raises each season.

McGee's deal pays him slightly more than DeAndre and one could say they are similar players ... raw offense, lots of athletic ability, and young. McGee appeared in 20 games for the Nuggets and started five. He accepted his role off the bench and turned in some fine performances and highlight reel plays. Pairing Andre Miller with McGee was a move that paid off for Karl and bringing both of them back should help McGee's ability to get easy buckets, see oop, alley.

McGee was acquired from the Washington Wizards in a trade for Nene prior to the trade deadline last season. He averaged 11.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game over the full season in 2011-12.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Denver for continued coverage of all matters related to Denver sports. For more updates from around the league, drop by SB Nation's NBA news hub. And for analysis and commentary focused on the Denver Nuggets, head over to the Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs.

Nuggets Sign JaVale McGee, Reportedly For 4 Years, $44 Million

The Denver Nuggets are retaining their biggest free agent, figuratively and literally. Denver reached a four-year, $44 million agreement with center JaVale McGee, who was acquired in a trade for Nene from the Washington Wizards in the middle of last season. McGee, a 24-year old 7-footer, averaged 11.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game while posting a 19.90 PER last season.

Related: Nuggets Sign Anthony Randolph, Amnesty Chris Andersen, According To Report

The Nuggets were in need of a big man after using the amnesty clause on Chris Anderson on Tuesday. McGee shined in Game 5 of the Nuggets' first round playoff series vs. the Los Angeles Lakers, putting up 21 points and 14 rebounds in a 102-99 victory.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Denver for continued coverage of all matters related to Denver sports. For more updates from around the league, drop by SB Nation's NBA news hub. And for analysis and commentary focused on the Denver Nuggets, head over to the Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs.

Nuggets Sign Anthony Randolph, Amnesty Chris Andersen, According To Report

The 'Birdman' is leaving town. The Denver Nuggets will exercise the amnesty clause to cut reserve big man Chris Andersen and will sign 23-year old forward Anthony Randolph, according to the Denver Post.

Andersen was owed $4.5 million next season and $4.8 million in 2012-2013. The one-time fan favorite in Denver was rarely used by coach George Karl towards the end of last season before running into legal issues for a relationship with an underage girl who reportedly tricked Anderson into thinking she was older than she was.

The 34-year old Andersen averaged 5.3 points and 4.6 assists for the Nuggets in 32 games last season. Randolph, a 6-foot-11 forward who was the 14th pick in the 2008 draft, averaged 7.4 points and 3.6 rebounds for the Minnesota Timberwolves in 34 games last season.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Denver for continued coverage of all matters related to Denver sports. For more updates from around the league, drop by SB Nation's NBA news hub. And for analysis and commentary focused on the Denver Nuggets, head over to the Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs.

NBA Free Agency Rumors: Nuggets A Rumored Partner In 3-Way Trade Talks

The Denver Nuggets appear to have been a component in the recent trade discussions led by the Minnesota Timberwolves. According to Darren "Doogie" Wolfson of ESPN 1500, the Nuggets, Wolves and Portland Trail Blazers were all components of a Minnesota endeavor to acquire Blazers restricted free agent SF Nicolas Batum.

Wolfson says the Nuggets may have put up SF Wilson Chandler in the potential trade, but it appears talks have died down since SG Kyle Korver -- another piece of the potential trade -- has since been traded to Atlanta.

The 24-year-old Chandler finished his second season with the Nuggets in 2011-12, but he appeared in only 8 games, averaging 9.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Denver for continued coverage of all matters related to Denver sports. For more updates from around the league, drop by SB Nation's NBA news hub. And for analysis and commentary focused on the Denver Nuggets, head over to the Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs.

NBA Free Agency Rumors: Nuggets Likely To Amnesty Chris Andersen, According To Report

Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports is reporting the Denver Nuggets will like amnesty F Chris Andersen on Tuesday evening:

There's a strong chance of the Nuggets using amnesty clause on Chris Andersen by tonight's deadline. It's a move that would make sense. Andersen is due $9.3 million in the final two years of his contract. He's 34 and has declined as a player and doesn't figure to see any time with the Nuggets due to their glut in the front court.

And concerning the ongoing investigation based around Andersen's premises, it appears the veteran forward will be free of any major problems:

Indications are Andersen might not get charged with anything regarding the ongoing investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, but it's an unnecessary distraction for the Nuggets to have.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Denver for continued coverage of all matters related to Denver sports. For more updates from around the league, drop by SB Nation's NBA news hub. And for analysis and commentary focused on the Denver Nuggets, head over to the Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs.

Andre Miller Contract: Veteran PG Gets $12 Million Guaranteed Over 3 Years

Last week, he Denver Nuggets announced that they re-signed veteran point guard Andre Miller to a multi-year deal, and on Monday some details of Miller's contract emerged. He'll receive $5 million guaranteed in each of the next two seasons.

Andre Miller's contract pays $5 million guaranteed the next two years, then $4,625,000 with only $2 million guaranteed in 2014-15.

— Mark Deeks (@MarkDeeksNBA) July 16, 2012

Related: NBA Free Agency Rumors: Anthony Randolph Watches Summer League Game With Nuggets Execs

Miller averaged 9.7 points and 6.7 assists per game during the 2011-12 season.

He will be 38 years old in the final year of this deal.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Denver for continued coverage of all matters related to Denver sports. For more updates from around the NBA, drop by SB Nation's NBA news hub. And for analysis and commentary focused on the Denver Nuggets, head over to the Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs.

NBA Free Agency Rumors: Anthony Randolph Watches Summer League Game With Nuggets Execs

The latest news out of the Denver Nuggets free agency rumor mill suggest the Nuggets are making a push for PF Anthony Randolph:

Free agent forward Anthony Randolph sitting with Nuggets brass at summer league game vs Warriors. DEN and ATL high on Randolph, source said

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 14, 2012

The Nuggets Summer League team may have lost the game 95-74, but if the team's overtures can lure the 22-year-old NBA veteran to Colorado, the team will likely remember very little about the game.

Randolph has split his four NBA seasons with the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves. Playing mostly off the bench in the 2011-12 NBA season, Randolph averaged 17.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per 36 minutes -- good for a strong 17.22 player efficiency rating.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Denver for continued coverage of all matters related to Denver sports. For more updates from around the league, drop by SB Nation's NBA news hub. And for analysis and commentary focused on the Denver Nuggets, head over to the Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs.

Ty Lawson On Contract Extension With Nuggets: 'It's Going To Be Done Soon'

Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson has steadily improved his game every year since being selected with the No. 18 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, and now Lawson is very confident he will sign an extension with the Nuggets in the near future. After working his way into a starting role in 2011-12, the 24-year-old floor general started all 61 regular season games he played in 2011-12 and posted career-highs in Player Efficiency Rating (19.7 PER), assists per game (6.6), assist rate (30.2 percent) and points per game (16.4).

Although the team recently signed veteran guard Andre Miller to a three-year deal, it's Lawson who figures to be the focal point of the team moving forward. Lawson knows a lucrative extension is coming soon, as he recently told Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post:

"It's definitely going to get done," Lawson said. "I know I want to be here. I know they want me here. I think something is going to be done soon...We've been in meetings actually discussing it. I definitely know it's going to be done soon."

"I've been working hard, trying to elevate my game so I don't let people down. That's my goal. I'm real comfortable here. I love Denver. I want to be here for the next four or five years."

Lawson is eligible to sign an Early Bird extension this summer, as are other point guard from his draft class like Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings, Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks and Jrue Holiday of the Philadelphia 76ers. For more details on what this means, be sure to visit Larry Coon's excellent NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement FAQ article.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Denver for continued coverage of all matters related to Denver sports. For more updates from around the league, drop by SB Nation's NBA news hub. And for analysis and commentary focused on the Denver Nuggets, head over to Denver Stiffs.

NBA Free Agency Rumors: JaVale McGee Offered 5-Year, $50 Million Contract By Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets are working hard to lock up 24-year-old restricted free agent center JaVale McGee to a long-term deal, and on Thursday the team offered McGee a five-year, $50 million contract. According to Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post, the Nuggets extended the lucrative five-year deal to McGee and are now awaiting a response from his representatives. As a restricted free agent, McGee can only receive offers up to four-years in length from other teams, so the Nuggets have optimized their offer in the sense that they are the only NBA team that can offer a fifth year. With a highly-competitive market developing for young big men, it will be interesting to see how McGee's camp responds to Denver's offer.

McGee played his first three seasons with the Washington Wizards before being traded in exchange for Nene midway through his fourth season. In 20 regular season games with Denver last season, he averaged 10.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in 20.6 minutes per game.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Denver for continued coverage of all matters related to Denver sports. For more updates from around the league, drop by SB Nation's NBA news hub. And for analysis and commentary focused on the Denver Nuggets, head over to Denver Stiffs.

Nuggets Signings: Evan Fournier Signs Multiyear Contract With Denver

The Denver Nuggets used their first pick in the 2012 NBA Draft to pick up an international player, selecting French player Evan Fournier as the No. 20 overall pick. They have now officially locked up the 19-year-old on a multiyear contract.

On Wednesday, the Nuggets team website officially announced that the Nuggets have signed Fournier to a contract and that he will be joining the team at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post reports that the deal is likely for three years (with the third year being a team option) and will be worth roughly $3.5 million.

In Fournier's 2011-12 season for France's Pro A League, the 6'7 player averaged 14.1 points per game and 2.3 assists. In 2011, he also became the youngest player in French League history to score 20 points in a game.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Denver for continued coverage of all matters related to Denver sports. For more updates from around the league, drop by SB Nation's NBA news hub. And for analysis and commentary focused on the Denver Nuggets, head over to Denver Stiffs.

Nuggets Signings: Denver Officially Announces Re-Signing Of Andre Miller

On Wednesday, the Denver Nuggets have officially announced the re-signing of free agent point guard Andre Miller, via a press release on the official team website.

Miller had reportedly agreed to a new three-year deal back on July 1, but due to the nature of NBA free agency, no players were allowed to officially sign new contracts until July 11.

The Nuggets hope that Miller can continue to be a key contributor off the bench, much as he was in the lockout-shortened 2011-12 NBA season. Miller led the team in assists last season, averaging 6.7 per game in 27.4 minutes. He also racked up 9.7 points per game.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Denver for continued coverage of all matters related to Denver sports. For more updates from around the league, drop by SB Nation's NBA news hub. And for analysis and commentary focused on the Denver Nuggets, head over to Denver Stiffs.

JaVale McGee Rumors: Could The Portland Trail Blazers Be A Player For McGee?

Big men have been the story of the NBA offseason so far, from Dwight Howard to Roy Hibbert to Omer Asik. Curiously, all has mostly been quiet on the JaVale McGee front, but that will soon change with the official opening of the NBA free agency period. The Nuggets have interest in bringing McGee back on a long-term deal, and though all signs point them to doing so, a few teams that are on the outside looking in of the big man carousel may try and thwart those efforts.

Chief among them, according to Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post, may be the Portland Trail Blazers, whose offer sheet agreement with Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert is going to be matched. Portland drafted center Meyers Leonard in the 2012 NBA Draft, but he's considered to be a bit of a project, and the team is looking to beef up its frontline behind All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Denver for continued coverage of all matters related to Denver sports. For more updates from around the league, drop by SB Nation's NBA news hub. And for analysis and commentary focused on the Denver Nuggets, head over to the Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs.

Nuggets Rumors 2012: JaVale McGee Reportedly Likely To Re-Sign With Denver

Aside from reaching a verbal agreement to re-sign back up point guard Andre Mille for $12 million across three years, the Denver Nuggets have been quiet in fre agency so far this offseason. That soon may change, as Sam Amick of SI.com reported late Tuesday night that talks between JaVale McGee and the Nuggets were moving forward to the point that McGee's return to Denver is likely inevitable.

Source says Denver's talks w/ restricted free agent C JaVale McGee are progressing and all signs point to his Nuggets tenure continuing.

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 11, 2012

The question with McGee is not necessarily whether or not he should be brought back— he has enough potential to warrant some sort of investment. But it will be interesting to see at what price the Nuggets are willing to do so, as McGee's immaturity means that any serious long-term investment would be fraught with risk.

In 20 games with Denver last season, McGee averaged 10.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in 20.6 minutes per game. But he had a few breakout games in Denver's first round series vs. the Los Angels Lakers, tallying 14-plus rebounds in three games while scoring 16-plus points in two of those.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Denver for continued coverage of all matters related to Denver sports. For more updates from around the league, drop by SB Nation's NBA news hub. And for analysis and commentary focused on the Denver Nuggets, head over to the Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs.

Nuggets Free Agency: Denver Loves Corner Threes, Might They Sign Another SG Or SF?

The Denver Nuggets haven't been feeding the NBA Free Agency rumor mill like the Brooklyn Nets and Dwight Howard, but they could still makes some important additions to their team when the moratorium on new contracts is lifted on July 11. With Andre Miller signed to a new deal, JaVale McGee still floating around in restricted free agency and Rudy Fernandez back overseas, Denver will likely be making small moves to supplement anything they do with McGee.

The Nuggets may be wise to search for another shooter to space the floor and shoot corner threes, as George Karl's offense attempted the fifth-most corner threes per game in 2012. This comes from professor Kirk Goldsberry of courtvisionanalytics.com, who broke down the best and worst corner three teams and players around the NBA in his latest post. Despite the high number of attempts from the corner, the Nuggets did not rank in the top-5 on conversion rate and had no players who performed at the top of the league either.

Incremental improvements may be best (because they will be cheap), so here is a breakdown of some available wing players capable of hitting the corner three, via Steve von Horn of Brew Hoop:

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Free Agency: JaVale McGee 'Makes Sense With Denver,' Says Greg Anthony

The Denver Nuggets are among the teams pursuing free agent C JaVale McGee, and though the decision of whether or not the team retains the 24-year-old ultimately depends on McGee himself, NBA analyst Greg Anthony says the Nuggets would present the best opportunity for McGee to develop as a player:

"He's a freakish athlete with, really, infinite potential," said NBATV analyst Greg Anthony, a former NBA guard. "What he has, you can't coach — physical tools. But what he needs, you can coach. And it makes sense with Denver, because you have George Karl there and he's as good a coach as we have in our league in terms of mental development, how you approach the game."

McGee played his first three seasons with the Washington Wizards before being traded to the Nuggets midway through his fourth season.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Free Agency: JaVale McGee Linked To Pacers And Trail Blazers, Nuggets Brace For Offers

The Denver Nuggets have been busy negotiating with restricted free agent center JaVale McGee on a new contract, but general manager Masai Ujiri may have some other suitors to deal with in the near future. David Aldridge of NBA.com reported via Twitter on Friday that the Indiana Pacers and Portland Trail Blazers are teams that could make a big offer to McGee. The Trail Blazers agreed to a 4-year, $58 million maximum offer sheet with restricted free agent center Roy Hibbert at the opening of free agency, but the offer sheet cannot be officially extended until July 11 and the Pacers have three days from that time to decide whether or not to match. Aldridge notes that whichever team loses out on Hibbert is likely to use some of that money on an offer to McGee.

Nuggets continue to "grind it out" w/JaVale McGee reps, aware that whichever team (PDX, Indy) loses Hibbert will have $ available 2 offer.

— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 6, 2012

The 24-year-old center came to the Nuggets from the Washington Wizards in the Nene trade last season, and he averaged 11.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game in 2011-12.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Free Agency 2012: Negotiations With Javale McGee Are 'Going Well'

Negotiations between the Denver Nuggets and restricted free agent center Javale McGee have been "going well" so far, as Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports. Berger adds that McGee has expressed a desire to stay with the Nuggets for the foreseeable future, increasingly the likeliness that he ends up back in Colorado.

Negotiations are going well between the Nuggets and RFA JaVale McGee, who has expressed a desire to stay in Denver, sources say.

— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) July 4, 2012

McGee impressed during Denver's seven-game series against the Los Angeles Lakers this year, averaging 8.6 points per game, 9.6 rebounds per game and 3.1 blocks per game while cutting down on the careless plays that had previously become a staple of his game with the Washington Wizards.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For all things Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Free Agency 2012: Rudy Fernandez Agrees To 3-Year Deal With Real Madrid

Denver Nuggets free agent guard Rudy Fernandez is leaving Denver and the NBA altogether -- he's agreed to a three-year deal with Real Madrid, which gives him the return to Spain he'd been looking for.

Fernandez is going to announce Wednesday he has inked a deal with Real Madrid, according to reports within the Spanish press.

Related: Nuggets Free Agency 2012: Javale McGee, Denver To Discuss Extension On Monday

Fernandez announced the news via Twitter on Tuesday afternoon.

In his lone season with Denver, Fernandez played in 31 contests and averaged 8.6 points, 2.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game. Prior to coming to the Nuggets, Fernandez spent three seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, mostly as a reserve. Fernandez has played in a total of 249 NBA games.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Free Agency 2012: Denver Re-Signs Andre Miller To 3-Year Deal, According To Report

The Denver Nuggets and point guard Andre Miller have agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension, according to a report from Yahoo!'s Marc J. Spears.

Nuggets agree to re-sign guard Andre Miller to a three-year deal, sources tell Yahoo! Sports.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 2, 2012

Related: Nuggets Free Agency 2012: Javale McGee, Denver To Discuss Extension On Monday

Miller was a key contributor off the bench for Denver during the 2011-12 season, averaging 9.7 points and 6.7 assists per contest. He also proved durable, as he appeared in all 73 of the team's games.

With Miller apparently taken care of, the Nuggets have two other players to re-sign, if they are so inclined: both Rudy Fernandez and JaVale McGee are restricted free agents.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Free Agency 2012: Javale McGee, Denver To Discuss Extension On Monday

Denver Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri will meet with the representatives of restricted free agent Javale McGee on Monday in Los Angeles, as Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports. At this point, McGee is capable of signing an offer sheet from any team, but the Nuggets have the right to match any offer after giving him a qualifying offer before the deadline.

Since being acquired from the Washington Wizards last season, it's seemed like the Nuggets would end up retaining McGee long-term after allowing Nene to head to D.C. By playing well against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Nuggets' first round defeat during the 2012 playoffs, McGee only helped his chances of landing a new deal.

Over 20 regular season games with Denver last season, McGee averaged 10.3 point per game, 5.8 rebounds per game and 1.6 blocks per game, turning up his efficiency while playing less minutes per night. He continued that success during the seven-game series against L.A., averaging 8.6 PPG, 9.6 RPG and 3.1 BPG while showing flashes of his upside as a defensive game-changer.

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Nuggets Free Agency 2012: Denver Makes Qualifying Offer To JaVale McGee

When the Denver Nuggets dealt Nene and acquired JaVale McGee at the trade deadline, it was assumed that the team was ready to invest in the mercurial but supremely talented center. After McGee had a few breakout games in Denver's first round playoff series vs. the Los Angeles Lakers, that seemed even more likely. On Sunday, the Nuggets took the first step towards a long term commitment with McGee, reportedly offering him a qualifying offer that will make him a restricted free agent.

Nuggets Free Agency 2012: Decision On JaVale McGee Looms

After making the trade to bring JaVale McGee to Denver, the Nuggets knew they had limited time to decide how they would handle his impending free agency. McGee, who is a restricted free agent, is one of three key guys that the Nuggets have to make a decision on going forward.

McGee made a significant impact in the opening round of the playoffs, as he played exceptionally well in flashes against the talented Los Angeles front court of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. However, consistency has always been an issue for McGee, so Denver must decide what kind of contract to offer.

Andre Miller is an unrestricted free agent. He formed an excellent backcourt trio with Ty Lawson and Arron Afflalo. However, Miller averaged a career-low of 9.7 ppg and will likely command interest on the free agent market. Rudy Fernandez is a restricted free agent and has expressed interest in returning to Denver.

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Nuggets 2012 Free Agents: Andre Miller, JaVale McGee And Rudy Fernandez Headline List

The Denver Nuggets only have three players set to become 2012 NBA Free Agents on July 1, but they they are important pieces that could alter the short-term trajectory of the franchise. Veteran point guard Andre Miller will become an unrestricted free agent and could seek out a deal with a contender if general manager Masai Ujiri can't promise something close to starter's minutes, but George Karl has repeatedly noted how much the team would like Miller back in 2012-13.

Rudy Fernandez is a restricted free agent, but if the Nuggets do not extend a $3.2 million qualifying offer by June 30 he will become an unrestricted free agent. JaVale McGee came over as a part of the Nene trade last season, and the Nuggets are expected to extend him a $3.5 million qualifying offer to make him a restricted free agent this summer. If McGee is made an restricted free agent, Denver will have the option to match any offer sheet extended to McGee by rival teams this summer. They are expected to match any offer on the 24-year-old big man.

The Nuggets have $49.45 million committed in player salary for 2012-13, and they recently selected shooting guard Evan Fournier (No. 20), small forward Quincy Miller (No. 38) and center Izzet Turkyilmaz (No. 50) in the 2012 NBA Draft.

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Denver Nuggets To Play Preseason Game On Las Vegas Strip

Chauncey Billups Free Agency: Veteran Point Guard Won't Return To Denver Nuggets

Chauncey Billups is no stranger to playing basketball in the state of Colorado. The veteran point guard played his college ball in the '90s for the Colorado Buffaloes, and already has spent two NBA stints with the Denver Nuggets. Billups is set to become a free agent this summer, but recently told the Denver Post he can't see himself returning to the Nuggets.

"I'll say this: Me and (team president) Josh (Kroenke) are cool," Billups said. "I'm good with everybody. But I can't see me, basketball-wise, playing in Denver again. What do you want me to do? They traded me two times. Want me to give them a third opportunity? My years there were great. We accomplished some great things. And they are looking good. ... I had some great years there, and I'm always going to live there, but I can't see that."

Billups played for the Los Angeles Clippers last season until a torn Achilles ended his campaign. The 35-year old average 15 points, four assists and 2.5 rebounds per game last season, while posting a Player Efficiency Rating of 16.10.

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2012 NBA Free Agency: Andre Miller Ranks No. 11 On HoopsHype Available PG List

Denver Nuggets point guard Andre Miller becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but he may face a saturated PG market loaded with talented 2012 NBA free agents. HoopsHype released their Free Agent Rankings at the point guard position, and Miller surprisingly ranks at the No. 11 available PG. Players like Deron Williams (No. 1) and Steve Nash (No. 2) make sense as better veteran options, but Miller also falls in behind less accomplished players like Aaron Brooks (No. 9) and Ramon Sessions (No. 10).

Age certainly has something to do with it -- Miller turned 36 years old in March and has played 13 seasons in the NBA -- but he also holds career averages of 14.1 points and 7.2 assists per game. Those numbers dipped in 2011-12 with the Nuggets, but George Karl has been quick to note how important Miller was to the team's success throughout the year.

Here are the top-15 available free agent point guards, according to HoopsHype:

1. Deron Williams (UFA)
2. Steve Nash (UFA)
3. Louis Williams (UFA)
4. Jeremy Lin (RFA)
5. Goran Dragic (UFA)
6. Jason Kidd (UFA)
7. Chauncey Billups (UFA)
8. George Hill (UFA)
9. Aaron Brooks (RFA)
10. Ramon Sessions (UFA)
11. Andre Miller (UFA)
12. Jameer Nelson (Player Option)
13. D.J. Augustin (RFA)
14. Raymond Felton (UFA)
15. Nate Robinson (UFA)

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over toNuggets blog Denver Stiffs. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Free Agency: Andre Miller, Nuggets GM Have Positive Discussions Before NBA Draft

The Denver Nuggets and general manager Masai Ujiri are certainly focused on what to do with the No. 20 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, but don't think that the free agency status of veteran point guard Andre Miller isn't also on the organization's mind. Back in January, Miller pushed back against his role as a reserve guard, saying: "I don't see myself as a backup...This is a short season, so I'll deal with it. But I don't see myself as a backup at this point in my career. I don't see that." Since then George Karl and the Nuggets have tried to express their desire to re-sign the 12-year NBA veteran, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Ty Lawson is definitely at the center of the team's proverbial "core" going forward, and the Nuggets even worked out point guard prospects Marquis Teague and Tyshawn Taylor on Monday, but Miller has already been in contact with Ujiri. In fact, the Nuggets GM told Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post that there have been positive discussions:

Nuggets executive Masai Ujiri has said that he and Miller, a 36-year-old free agent, have had positive discussions about Miller returning to Denver. Miller is one of coach George Karl's favorite players. If he returns to the Nuggets, Miller will continue to play big minutes off the bench. If he comes back, the Nuggets' potential first-round pick could learn from one of the NBA's great passers. If Miller doesn't return, the potential pick could learn on the job.

The realistic status of the talks between the Nuggets and Miller could be revealed on draft day, as it's hard to see him returning to the team if they draft a rookie PG, especially after his comments back in January.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Eurocamp 2012: Nuggets F Danilo Gallinari Talks About Difficult Transition To NBA

At a 2012 Adidas Eurocamp event on Tuesday, NBA success stories Danilo Gallinari and Nicolas Batum engaged European prospects in a Q&A session that touched on the transition from foreign leagues to the NBA. Gallinari had some of the most interesting sound bites of the day, as noted by Brett Pollakoff of NBC's Pro Basketball Talk. The Nuggets forward warned players that scouts already have plenty of information on your game when you reach the United States, but it can be wrong at times and everything comes down to replicating the positive traits on the court again.

Even if you manage to break into the NBA, it can be tough to find a comfortable role in offensive schemes that are often much different than the European style, and Gallinari relayed a great story on that topic:

"For me it was very difficult in New York, because I was running up and down the court and I was not receiving the ball. After 10, 15 games I went to Mike and said, ‘What the f-? I run to the corners and I never get the ball.' So he told me, ‘Whenever you have that ball, you have to shoot it. I don't care. You get the ball, you shoot it, you do whatever you want. I will never say not to shoot.' You get in that mentality, and the ball was getting to me. I was still running to the corner, but the ball was getting to me. I don't know why."

Something tells me Gallinari hasn't had to present George Karl with the same line of questioning during his time with the Nuggets, which points to a lesson learned during his extended transition to the NBA.

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NBA Offseason 2012: Heat Reportedly Have Interest In Andre Miller

The Miami Heat, one loss away from going home empty-handed for the second season in a row, will almost certainly be looking to add a veteran to their team for the 2012-2013 season, and that player may just be the Denver Nuggets' Andre Miller. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Heat are reportedly interested in signing Miller to, presumably, be their backup point guard.

The one hang up would be the salary. The Heat are expected to have only about $3 million in free money available next season barring a drastic shake up of their core lineup, so Miller would have to be willing to take an almost 50% pay cut in order to join the Heat. But, if the lure of a championship is that strong, he may at least think it over.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Draft Rumors: Denver Interested In Quincy Miller, Royce White

The Denver Nuggets are working out a pair of draft prospects, Quinzy Miller and Royce White, in preparation for the upcoming 2012 NBA draft. According to Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated, Miller -- who was at one time a highly-prized draft prospect -- has been working hard to improve his game leading up to the draft:

"I feel way more confident than I ever was at Baylor," said Jones, who will head for Chicago predraft camp next week like most of the top-level prospects. "Working out three times a day, I feel great. I see the potential I have. I'm actually using the potential I have.

"I've been using it in workouts. They've been going great, playing three-on-three or one-on-one. I do a lot that I normally wouldn't do. I'm just a lot more confident when I'm playing ball."

The Nuggets possess the No. 20 draft pick in the upcoming 2012 NBA Draft.

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NBA Trade Rumors: Could Nuggets Acquire Lakers' Trade Exemption?

It's not even the full NBA offseason yet, but the Los Angeles Lakers are out of the playoffs and thoughts are being tossed around on what they should do to get back to the NBA Finals. Over at the L.A. Times, Mike Bresnahan offers five ways for that to happen, and one of them involves the Denver Nuggets:

Send a future second-round pick and the $8.9-million traded-player exception (from the Lamar Odom deal) to Denver for forward Al Harrington.

This would certainly help the Nuggets relieve themselves of the $21.4 million left on the three years of his contract while also picking up the trade exception, but would the Lakers really want to take on that contract? Harrington did improve in his second year with the Nuggets, but at 32 and bench player, Harrington might be too expensive.

If such a trade were to happen, the Nuggets could use it to sign JaVale McGee or Ty Lawson to long-term deals, as Bresnahan suggests, but it could also allow the Nuggets to make a trade. What that would be, well, who know. This is all just idle speculation right now.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Free Agency: Nuggets PG Andre Miller Wants To Stay In Denver

The Denver Nuggets and PG Andre Miller appear to have mutual interest in bringing the veteran guard back for an encore season:

Ujiri says he had a good talk with point guard Andre Miller and the veteran expressed interest in returning to Denver.

— Denver Nuggets (@denvernuggets) May 17, 2012

Last week, Nuggets head coach George Kharl said he wanted Miller back with Denver in the 2012-13 NBA season, and as both sides appear to have aligning interests, that possibility seems increasingly likely.

Miller played in all 73 Nuggets regular season and post season games. He averaged a career-low 9.7 points per game, playing mostly from the bench, but still managed a solid 12.7 points and 8.8 assists per 36 minutes through the regular season.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Free Agency: Nuggets PG Andre Miller Is On George Karl's Wishlist For Next Season

Veteran point guard Andre Miller turned in another impactful performance on Tuesday night in Game 5 of the Denver Nuggets' first round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, and head coach George Karl just hopes Denver gets a chance to bring him back next season. Miller turned in a team-high 24 points on 8-11 shooting to go with eight assists in the 102-99 victory on Tuesday, and Karl doesn't want to think about losing him to another team when Miller becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Back in January, the 12-year NBA vet said "I don't see myself as a backup...This is a short season, so I'll deal with it. But I don't see myself as a backup at this point in my career. I don't see that," so if the team makes a lucrative extension offer to starting PG Ty Lawson it could be difficult to convince Miller to return. However, Karl told Nuggets.com reporter Aaron J. Lopez on Tuesday night that he just wants Miller to give the team "a chance to communicate how much we would like to get him back this summer." Here are the tweets Lopez posted on the subject:

#Nuggets coach George Karl says he wants veteran point guard Andre Miller back next season. "My feeling is he’s enjoyed the year."

— Aaron J. Lopez (@Lopez_Nuggets) May 9, 2012

More Karl on Miller: "I hope he gives us a chance to communicate how much we would like to get him back this summer."

— Aaron J. Lopez (@Lopez_Nuggets) May 9, 2012

The Nuggets traded Raymond Felton to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Andre Miller (along with a swap of the No. 21 and No. 22 picks) on the day of the 2011 NBA Draft, which effectively cleared the way for Lawson to take the starting job in Denver.

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