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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