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07-10-2005, 05:12 PM
Nuggets eyeing Jaric
Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News
July 10, 2005
LAS VEGAS - The Denver Nuggets grabbed a restricted free agent from the Los Angeles Clippers two years ago. They may look to do it again.
Bill Duffy, the agent for Clippers restricted free-agent guard Marko Jaric, said Saturday the Nuggets are looking closely at his client.
"They're interested,'' said Duffy, who had a discussion with Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe in the stands Saturday during the Vegas Shootout. "I've been aware that they really like him. I'd call it a pretty strong level.''
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Two years ago, the Nuggets signed Clippers restricted free agent Andre Miller to an offer sheet, and the Clippers elected not to match. Duffy declined to speculate what the Clippers might do if the Nuggets put out an offer sheet on Jaric.
"I want to make sure whatever happens is mutually beneficial,'' said Duffy, who wants a "win-win'' for both sides.
It's doubtful the Nuggets would be able to offer Jaric any more than the midlevel exception of about $5 million.
"That's all they'd be able to do,'' Duffy said.
The teams, though, also could discuss a sign-and-trade deal.
Vandeweghe would not comment on Denver's interest in Jaric, although he did say he had "nice'' conversations Saturday with Duffy and agents Andy Miller, who has Sacramento unrestricted free-agent shooting guard Cuttino Mobley, and Arn Tellem, who has several free agents.
Miller has had conversations with the Kings and the Nuggets about a possible sign-and-trade involving Mobley, but nothing is close because the Nuggets don't want to give up Nene. When asked about his conversation with Vandeweghe, Miller said, "Nothing's going on.''
The Clippers, who learned Friday they have lost free-agent swingman Bobby Simmons to Milwaukee, also have interest in Mobley. The Clippers, with about $16 million of salary-cap room, likely can offer Mobley a better deal, but he might prefer to play for a more competitive team.
Miller also had conversations Saturday with Kings general manager Geoff Petrie and Washington general manager Ernie Grunfeld. The Wizards need a shooting guard with Larry Hughes having committed to Cleveland.
Duffy, who also met Saturday with Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy, said the Clippers' loss of Simmons doesn't necessarily mean there is a better chance they would match on Jaric. He said the Clippers are looking at "other free agents'' and are "looking a bunch of options, including to re-sign (Jaric).''
The Nuggets are in the market for a shooting guard. The 6-foot-7 Jaric, who averaged 9.9 points last season and has a three-year average of 8.5, plays both guard spots.
"They like his versatility,'' Duffy said of the Nuggets.
Nuggets assistant general manager Jeff Weltman played a key role in drafting Jaric in the second round in 2000 when Weltman was a Clippers executive.
Duffy said he believes a Jaric's situation should shake out "within the next week.'' Players, though, can't sign until July 22.
"I think next week will be very telling,'' Vandeweghe said of the free-agent process.
ETC. - The Nuggets raised their summer record to 2-0 with a 92-77 win over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday. Guards Luis Flores and Julius Hodges, a rookie draftee, both scored 16 points for Denver. Among the other rookie draftees on the Nuggets, Linas Kleiza scored 12 points and Ricky Sanchez scored seven. Pistons guard Rodney Billups, from the University of Denver and the brother of Detroit guard Chauncey Billups, went scoreless in seven minutes... Nuggets center Marcus Camby was at Saturday's game. Camby is one of several Denver veterans who will be in Las Vegas to work out with strength and conditioning coach Steve Hess... The Nuggets face Cleveland on Sunday.
Updated on Sunday, Jul 10, 2005 6:01 am EDT
Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News
July 10, 2005
LAS VEGAS - The Denver Nuggets grabbed a restricted free agent from the Los Angeles Clippers two years ago. They may look to do it again.
Bill Duffy, the agent for Clippers restricted free-agent guard Marko Jaric, said Saturday the Nuggets are looking closely at his client.
"They're interested,'' said Duffy, who had a discussion with Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe in the stands Saturday during the Vegas Shootout. "I've been aware that they really like him. I'd call it a pretty strong level.''
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Two years ago, the Nuggets signed Clippers restricted free agent Andre Miller to an offer sheet, and the Clippers elected not to match. Duffy declined to speculate what the Clippers might do if the Nuggets put out an offer sheet on Jaric.
"I want to make sure whatever happens is mutually beneficial,'' said Duffy, who wants a "win-win'' for both sides.
It's doubtful the Nuggets would be able to offer Jaric any more than the midlevel exception of about $5 million.
"That's all they'd be able to do,'' Duffy said.
The teams, though, also could discuss a sign-and-trade deal.
Vandeweghe would not comment on Denver's interest in Jaric, although he did say he had "nice'' conversations Saturday with Duffy and agents Andy Miller, who has Sacramento unrestricted free-agent shooting guard Cuttino Mobley, and Arn Tellem, who has several free agents.
Miller has had conversations with the Kings and the Nuggets about a possible sign-and-trade involving Mobley, but nothing is close because the Nuggets don't want to give up Nene. When asked about his conversation with Vandeweghe, Miller said, "Nothing's going on.''
The Clippers, who learned Friday they have lost free-agent swingman Bobby Simmons to Milwaukee, also have interest in Mobley. The Clippers, with about $16 million of salary-cap room, likely can offer Mobley a better deal, but he might prefer to play for a more competitive team.
Miller also had conversations Saturday with Kings general manager Geoff Petrie and Washington general manager Ernie Grunfeld. The Wizards need a shooting guard with Larry Hughes having committed to Cleveland.
Duffy, who also met Saturday with Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy, said the Clippers' loss of Simmons doesn't necessarily mean there is a better chance they would match on Jaric. He said the Clippers are looking at "other free agents'' and are "looking a bunch of options, including to re-sign (Jaric).''
The Nuggets are in the market for a shooting guard. The 6-foot-7 Jaric, who averaged 9.9 points last season and has a three-year average of 8.5, plays both guard spots.
"They like his versatility,'' Duffy said of the Nuggets.
Nuggets assistant general manager Jeff Weltman played a key role in drafting Jaric in the second round in 2000 when Weltman was a Clippers executive.
Duffy said he believes a Jaric's situation should shake out "within the next week.'' Players, though, can't sign until July 22.
"I think next week will be very telling,'' Vandeweghe said of the free-agent process.
ETC. - The Nuggets raised their summer record to 2-0 with a 92-77 win over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday. Guards Luis Flores and Julius Hodges, a rookie draftee, both scored 16 points for Denver. Among the other rookie draftees on the Nuggets, Linas Kleiza scored 12 points and Ricky Sanchez scored seven. Pistons guard Rodney Billups, from the University of Denver and the brother of Detroit guard Chauncey Billups, went scoreless in seven minutes... Nuggets center Marcus Camby was at Saturday's game. Camby is one of several Denver veterans who will be in Las Vegas to work out with strength and conditioning coach Steve Hess... The Nuggets face Cleveland on Sunday.
Updated on Sunday, Jul 10, 2005 6:01 am EDT