San Antonio – While the Nuggets’ core group and head coach will be the same, there will be some changes in the roster and coaching staff next season.
After the Nuggets’ season-ending 99-89 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said he plans to exercise center ‘s $695,046 contract option for next season.
“It’s a great thing to hear,” Elson said. “Obviously, they believe in me. I still can be a contributor to this team. Hopefully, I can stay for a while.”
But there will be decisions to make with guard , guard , center Nene and other free agents. Coach George Karl also has to determine which assistants remain on his staff.
“I hope everyone is back,” Nuggets forward said. “We have a good nucleus.”
Vandeweghe’s core includes forwards and Martin, centers and Nene and guards and . All are under contract next season, and Vandeweghe wants them back. He also believes the team will be much better with a training camp under its belt with Karl directing it.
The Nuggets are expected to be slightly over the salary cap next season and likely will only have a mid-level exception ($4.9 million this season) to offer.
Nene is under contract through the 2005-06 season with a $3.03 million salary. But the Nuggets can sign the 6-foot-11, 260-pounder to a contract extension this summer. If the Nuggets don’t sign Nene to a contract extension, he will be a restricted free agent in 2006.
“It’s just too early right now,” Nene’s agent Michael Coyne said. “Too many unknowns.”
Vandeweghe acknowledged that his toughest decision could come with Lenard.
Lenard was one of the Nuggets’ top scorers during the 2003-04 season and their biggest 3-point shooting threat. But a torn Achilles tendon limited him to just three games this season. The Nuggets have a $3.52 million option for Lenard next season and must pay him $250,000 if they waive him by July 14. Vandeweghe said the Nuggets would continue to monitor Lenard during the offseason.
When asked if he thought he would be in a Nuggets uniform next season, Lenard said: “I don’t know. We’ll see.”
Buckner has said that he wants to be a Nugget for life regardless to whether or not he opts out of his contract paying $932,546 next season. Vandeweghe is also very interested in re-signing the defensive-specialist, who averaged 6.2 points and 3.0 rebounds.
“He could be a Bruce Bowen type of guy for us,” Vandeweghe said.
Guard , forward Wesley Person, forward and forward-center will be free agents this summer.
Vandeweghe also said he would like to add an “aircraft carrier” type big man, possibly a shooting guard depending on Lenard’s health and wasn’t putting the two first round picks into the roster equation now.
Assistants Scott Brooks, Adrian Dantley, Chip Engelland and Rex Kalamian’s contracts are up June 30. Assistant and former Nuggets coach Doug Moe said he doesn’t know if he will return.
“They did a great job,” Karl said. “I think they got better as the season went on. There might be a change. But I haven’t even thought about it.”
Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com.
