Las Vegas – The agent for Sacramento Kings free-agent guard Cuttino Mobley said his client is getting a lot of interest, but the Nuggets are high on his list.
Agent Andy Miller said he spoke to Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe about his client several times Tuesday. Mobley averaged 17.2 points last season and is one of the NBA’s top 3-point shooters – an asset the Nuggets need.
Since the Nuggets may have only the midlevel exception to offer, a sign-and-trade may be needed to consummate a deal for him.
Miller would not discuss other teams that are interested, but the Los Angeles Clippers reportedly are one of them. Sacramento may want to include Mobley in a sign-and-trade after selecting shooting guards Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia in the past two drafts.
Mobley declined to exercise his option on a contract that would have paid him $6.4 million this coming season. One sign-and-trade scenario could logically include Nene and Voshon Lenard, who are due to make a combined $6.5 million in 2005-06.
Miller said Mobley has a strong relationship with Vandeweghe and coach George Karl, and has said that a visit to Denver isn’t necessary for his client.
“We have interest,” Miller said. “There are certain teams that have interest who are on the cusp, being one piece away. … (Mobley) thinks (Karl) can fine-tune his game and make him better while also helping take the team to the playoffs.”
Said Karl of Mobley: “I’ve always felt that he’s kind of an all-star, on-the-brink type of guy. … He’s one of the top free-agent shooting guards. We just have to let Kiki work his magic, and hopefully in one week or two weeks or three weeks we have a 30-minute guard. I don’t think it’s imperative either way.
“One thing I’ve expressed to Kiki is don’t be afraid to be patient.”
Meanwhile, one of Denver’s internal free-agent candidates at shooting guard remains interested in returning. However, the agent for Greg Buckner guessed that nothing will happen for his client before the Nuggets return from summer league here next week.
“They’d like him back and he’d like to be back, but market forces can send things in different directions,” Steve Kauffman said.
Buckner wants a deal that at least approaches the midlevel exception. Kauffman said his client has heard from five or six teams, and Houston is believed to be among them.
Agent Tony Dutt said at least three teams have offered Seattle free-agent guard Antonio Daniels the midlevel exception, but he has not heard from Denver.
Footnotes
Denver assistant Chip Engelland has left the Nuggets to join San Antonio.
“He did leave me a voice mail, but until I see the whites of his eyes, I won’t believe him,” Karl said of the news. He added that while he had wanted Engelland back, he understood his new opportunity. …
Assistant Scott Brooks said he has heard speculation that he will join Portland if the Trail Blazers hire Marc Iavaroni. Asked if he expects to remain in Denver this fall, Brooks said, “I hope so. My kids registered in school there. I can’t get my money back.” …
The Nuggets arrived in Las Vegas with their two first-round draft picks signed to contracts that will lock them in for the next two seasons and provide team options for the two years after that. According to the new league rookie scale, Julius Hodge will earn about $1,150,000 and Linas Kleiza about $881,000. Denver will play here without second-round pick Axel Hervelle. His club, Real Madrid, requested that he rest because of injuries. …
Nuggets assistant general managers Jeff Weltman and David Fredman are without contracts, but Vandeweghe called them “valuable” and “important” and said they would get new deals.
Staff writer Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com.
Staff writer Adam Thompson can be reached at 303-820-5447 or athompson@denverpost.com.
