objective
07-01-2008, 12:04 PM
No surprise here for people who've actually looked at Denver media accounts and fan forums the last couple of months, but a new Denver paper account doesn't even consider the possibility of not re-signing JR Smith. A broad summation of all the Nugget forums and Denver media suggests that even with the luxury tax, letting go of JR Smith is not a serious consideration among Nuggets circles.
Pretty much only non-Denver media and fans think the tax is some deal-killer for JR in Denver even though they have one of the richest owners in the NBA.
The luxury tax concerns come into play with Denver not tending a QO to Diawara.
Diawara would fit in with the "Stand Pat" scenario that is very realistic, where the only free agent the Spurs sign is a cheap veteran. Diawara even though he's not been around that long to be an experienced veteran, but he could cost only about 2 million a year. Same agent as Mahinmi.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/01/nuggets-have-little-money-to-spend-but-plenty-of/
There's not much money to spend but plenty of roster spots.
The Nuggets, deep into the luxury tax, enter today's start of free agency with eight players with guaranteed contracts totaling more than $78 million. They must carry 13 players in the regular season.
Monday's deadline passed with the Nuggets making no announcement on picking up the $972,581 qualifying offer of guard Yakhouba Diawara, which would make him an unrestricted free agent instead of restricted.
"I guess there's no tender," Diawara's agent, Buona Ndiaye said Monday night.
Diawara said he hadn't spoken to any Nuggets official for a month and had no idea whether the team still has interest in him.
Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien declined comment.
Diawara said his former Pepperdine coach, Paul Westphal, is close to becoming a Chicago assistant and he would have interest in signing there. Other teams expected to look at Diawara are Dallas, Miami and San Antonio.
Other Denver unrestricted free agents are guard Anthony Carter and forward Eduardo Najera. Guard J.R. Smith, whom the Nuggets want to retain, is restricted.
With Smith in line to possibly get a deal around the midlevel exception of $5.5 million, it remains to be seen how much the Nuggets might spend on other roster spots. If Carter isn't re-signed, the Nuggets might be in the market for a point guard, with free agents Tyronn Lue and Sam Cassell already having expressed interest.
The Nuggets' end-of- the-bench players might end up making the minimum.
Second-round pick Sonny Weems is likely to sign for the minimum, and the Nuggets must make calls by Aug. 1 and Aug. 15 on Taurean Green and Bobby Jones or else their minimum deals become guaranteed.
Pretty much only non-Denver media and fans think the tax is some deal-killer for JR in Denver even though they have one of the richest owners in the NBA.
The luxury tax concerns come into play with Denver not tending a QO to Diawara.
Diawara would fit in with the "Stand Pat" scenario that is very realistic, where the only free agent the Spurs sign is a cheap veteran. Diawara even though he's not been around that long to be an experienced veteran, but he could cost only about 2 million a year. Same agent as Mahinmi.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/01/nuggets-have-little-money-to-spend-but-plenty-of/
There's not much money to spend but plenty of roster spots.
The Nuggets, deep into the luxury tax, enter today's start of free agency with eight players with guaranteed contracts totaling more than $78 million. They must carry 13 players in the regular season.
Monday's deadline passed with the Nuggets making no announcement on picking up the $972,581 qualifying offer of guard Yakhouba Diawara, which would make him an unrestricted free agent instead of restricted.
"I guess there's no tender," Diawara's agent, Buona Ndiaye said Monday night.
Diawara said he hadn't spoken to any Nuggets official for a month and had no idea whether the team still has interest in him.
Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien declined comment.
Diawara said his former Pepperdine coach, Paul Westphal, is close to becoming a Chicago assistant and he would have interest in signing there. Other teams expected to look at Diawara are Dallas, Miami and San Antonio.
Other Denver unrestricted free agents are guard Anthony Carter and forward Eduardo Najera. Guard J.R. Smith, whom the Nuggets want to retain, is restricted.
With Smith in line to possibly get a deal around the midlevel exception of $5.5 million, it remains to be seen how much the Nuggets might spend on other roster spots. If Carter isn't re-signed, the Nuggets might be in the market for a point guard, with free agents Tyronn Lue and Sam Cassell already having expressed interest.
The Nuggets' end-of- the-bench players might end up making the minimum.
Second-round pick Sonny Weems is likely to sign for the minimum, and the Nuggets must make calls by Aug. 1 and Aug. 15 on Taurean Green and Bobby Jones or else their minimum deals become guaranteed.