Kori Ellis
08-17-2005, 03:03 PM
Nuggets interested in Finley, but Miami could be hot spot
By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News
August 17, 2005
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nuggets/article/0,1299,DRMN_20_4008456,00.html
The Denver Nuggets might not be able to beat the Heat.
On Tuesday, the day after Michael Finley was waived by the Dallas Mavericks, there were indications the Miami Heat remains the front-runner for his services. That could spell an end to Denver's chances this summer of landing a big-name shooting guard.
"That's what I hear," Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said of Finley possibly joining Miami. "That's sort of the rumor mill."
Vandeweghe said the Nuggets "obviously" remain interested, but he seems resigned Finley is slipping away. Finley, who will clear waivers at 8 a.m. MDT Thursday, also might consider Detroit, Phoenix and San Antonio.
Finley, 32, was waived Monday night under the new amnesty rule, which saves teams on luxury tax. Shortly after Finley's release, Vandeweghe spoke to Finley's agent, Henry Thomas, who did not return a message Tuesday.
With Finley apparently out of reach, the Nuggets will continue to mull a list of lesser free-agent candidates and consider their own free-agent shooting guards. Vandeweghe has been keeping in regular contact with agents for Greg Buckner, DerMarr Johnson and Wesley Person.
"Obviously, we're very interested in (the three)," Vandeweghe said. "They did a very good job for us the last half of last year."
Vandeweghe named unrestricted free agent Nick Van Exel and restricted free agents Ronald Murray and Damien Wilkins of Seattle, Devin Brown of San Antonio and Keith Bogans of Charlotte as guards the Nuggets are eyeing. However, Vandeweghe said it would be difficult to pry away one of those restricted free agents since their teams want to keep them.
Vandeweghe called Brown, who played briefly for Denver in 2002-03 before spending two seasons with the Spurs, a "player we like." Brown's agent, Derrick Powell, spoke last week with the Nuggets.
"They asked questions about his health, but they like him," said Powell, referring to a lower back strain Brown suffered late last season that Powell said is fully healed. "(Brown) definitely is open to returning to Denver."
So is Van Exel, who played for the Nuggets from 1998-2002 before his trade request was granted. Vandeweghe is undeterred that Van Exel is 6-foot-1, noting 6-2 Andre Miller and 5-5 Earl Boykins often are paired in Denver's backcourt.
Before the Nuggets hone in on an outside candidate, they may look to resolve the situation with Buckner. He has been offered the $1.67 million exception with a $1.85 million player option for a second year but is looking next season for at least half the $5 million midlevel exception.
Buckner's agent, Steve Kauffman, said there is a "better chance" of getting that sum now since "it doesn't look like (the Nuggets are) going to get Finley." Kauffman is confident terms can be reached with the Nuggets by early September.
By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News
August 17, 2005
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nuggets/article/0,1299,DRMN_20_4008456,00.html
The Denver Nuggets might not be able to beat the Heat.
On Tuesday, the day after Michael Finley was waived by the Dallas Mavericks, there were indications the Miami Heat remains the front-runner for his services. That could spell an end to Denver's chances this summer of landing a big-name shooting guard.
"That's what I hear," Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said of Finley possibly joining Miami. "That's sort of the rumor mill."
Vandeweghe said the Nuggets "obviously" remain interested, but he seems resigned Finley is slipping away. Finley, who will clear waivers at 8 a.m. MDT Thursday, also might consider Detroit, Phoenix and San Antonio.
Finley, 32, was waived Monday night under the new amnesty rule, which saves teams on luxury tax. Shortly after Finley's release, Vandeweghe spoke to Finley's agent, Henry Thomas, who did not return a message Tuesday.
With Finley apparently out of reach, the Nuggets will continue to mull a list of lesser free-agent candidates and consider their own free-agent shooting guards. Vandeweghe has been keeping in regular contact with agents for Greg Buckner, DerMarr Johnson and Wesley Person.
"Obviously, we're very interested in (the three)," Vandeweghe said. "They did a very good job for us the last half of last year."
Vandeweghe named unrestricted free agent Nick Van Exel and restricted free agents Ronald Murray and Damien Wilkins of Seattle, Devin Brown of San Antonio and Keith Bogans of Charlotte as guards the Nuggets are eyeing. However, Vandeweghe said it would be difficult to pry away one of those restricted free agents since their teams want to keep them.
Vandeweghe called Brown, who played briefly for Denver in 2002-03 before spending two seasons with the Spurs, a "player we like." Brown's agent, Derrick Powell, spoke last week with the Nuggets.
"They asked questions about his health, but they like him," said Powell, referring to a lower back strain Brown suffered late last season that Powell said is fully healed. "(Brown) definitely is open to returning to Denver."
So is Van Exel, who played for the Nuggets from 1998-2002 before his trade request was granted. Vandeweghe is undeterred that Van Exel is 6-foot-1, noting 6-2 Andre Miller and 5-5 Earl Boykins often are paired in Denver's backcourt.
Before the Nuggets hone in on an outside candidate, they may look to resolve the situation with Buckner. He has been offered the $1.67 million exception with a $1.85 million player option for a second year but is looking next season for at least half the $5 million midlevel exception.
Buckner's agent, Steve Kauffman, said there is a "better chance" of getting that sum now since "it doesn't look like (the Nuggets are) going to get Finley." Kauffman is confident terms can be reached with the Nuggets by early September.