Spurs Brazil
07-01-2007, 12:31 PM
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_6271956
Devin Brown fits role of hired help
Guard could sign as free agent
By Chris Dempsey
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 07/01/2007 12:26:49 AM MDT
Today is the first day NBA teams can begin talking to free agents, and though the Nuggets are cash-strapped, Devin Brown has the team on his wish list, a league source said.
The Nuggets are likely to lose point guard Steve Blake to higher bidders and, additionally, are in search of deft perimeter shooters. Brown, a combo guard who played in 58 games with the New Orleans Hornets last season, has proven the ability to do both.
Brown, who was signed to a 10-day contract by the Nuggets during his rookie season of 2002-03, stepped in as the starting point guard in January with the Hornets when Chris Paul suffered a sprained right ankle. In the 12 games Brown started, the Hornets went 7-5, and the 6-foot-5, five-year pro averaged 13.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
Brown's averages of 11.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists last season ranked him in the top five on the team in those categories. Brown shot 35.7 percent from 3-point range. He played for San Antonio from 2003-05.
Signing free agents, however, is not a luxury the Nuggets have at the moment. With a payroll creeping toward $80 million, fiscal responsibility is the buzz phrase in the front office. The NBA's new salary cap and luxury tax threshold is due to be released in time for teams to start signing free agents on July 11.
Currently, the salary cap is $53.135 million and the luxury tax threshold is $65.42 million. Teams must pay a dollar for every dollar they are over the tax threshold. The Nuggets expect to be $10 million to $12 million in the red.
Teams over the salary cap can use a midlevel exception, if they would like, but barring significant changes Denver isn't expected to use its midlevel exception this summer.
J.R. update
Nuggets guard J.R. Smith attended his charity golf tournament Friday despite a report to the contrary, assistant coaches Mike Dunlap and Jamahl Mosley said.
Smith arrived late to the event but took part in the proceedings at Lakewood (N.J.) Country Club, which benefited the J.R. Smith Youth Foundation that provides academic scholarships. Dunlap and Mosley participated in the tournament.
Smith did not talk to media, but players and coaches have rallied around the 21-year-old, who was involved in a car accident on June 9 that resulted in the death of his friend, Andre Bell, who was in the vehicle.
"For the most part, he's dealing with it," said Nuggets center Marcus Camby, who attended a Rockies game with Smith on June 20 at Coors Field. "He's maintaining. We all know he's hurting a little bit. He may not show it in his face, but I know deep down inside he went through a traumatic experience. Hopefully he can overcome it and I'm sure he will.
"J.R. is like a brother to all of us, so we definitely want to see him on the right path."
Devin Brown fits role of hired help
Guard could sign as free agent
By Chris Dempsey
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 07/01/2007 12:26:49 AM MDT
Today is the first day NBA teams can begin talking to free agents, and though the Nuggets are cash-strapped, Devin Brown has the team on his wish list, a league source said.
The Nuggets are likely to lose point guard Steve Blake to higher bidders and, additionally, are in search of deft perimeter shooters. Brown, a combo guard who played in 58 games with the New Orleans Hornets last season, has proven the ability to do both.
Brown, who was signed to a 10-day contract by the Nuggets during his rookie season of 2002-03, stepped in as the starting point guard in January with the Hornets when Chris Paul suffered a sprained right ankle. In the 12 games Brown started, the Hornets went 7-5, and the 6-foot-5, five-year pro averaged 13.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
Brown's averages of 11.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists last season ranked him in the top five on the team in those categories. Brown shot 35.7 percent from 3-point range. He played for San Antonio from 2003-05.
Signing free agents, however, is not a luxury the Nuggets have at the moment. With a payroll creeping toward $80 million, fiscal responsibility is the buzz phrase in the front office. The NBA's new salary cap and luxury tax threshold is due to be released in time for teams to start signing free agents on July 11.
Currently, the salary cap is $53.135 million and the luxury tax threshold is $65.42 million. Teams must pay a dollar for every dollar they are over the tax threshold. The Nuggets expect to be $10 million to $12 million in the red.
Teams over the salary cap can use a midlevel exception, if they would like, but barring significant changes Denver isn't expected to use its midlevel exception this summer.
J.R. update
Nuggets guard J.R. Smith attended his charity golf tournament Friday despite a report to the contrary, assistant coaches Mike Dunlap and Jamahl Mosley said.
Smith arrived late to the event but took part in the proceedings at Lakewood (N.J.) Country Club, which benefited the J.R. Smith Youth Foundation that provides academic scholarships. Dunlap and Mosley participated in the tournament.
Smith did not talk to media, but players and coaches have rallied around the 21-year-old, who was involved in a car accident on June 9 that resulted in the death of his friend, Andre Bell, who was in the vehicle.
"For the most part, he's dealing with it," said Nuggets center Marcus Camby, who attended a Rockies game with Smith on June 20 at Coors Field. "He's maintaining. We all know he's hurting a little bit. He may not show it in his face, but I know deep down inside he went through a traumatic experience. Hopefully he can overcome it and I'm sure he will.
"J.R. is like a brother to all of us, so we definitely want to see him on the right path."