Lakewood – Kenyon Martin had a bit of news and some editorial commentary to go with it Wednesday. His surgically repaired left knee is not all the way back yet, but he advised that when it is, it will have been worth the wait.
Talking to the press before a speech and Q&A session with kids at Carmelo Anthony’s camp, the Nuggets forward did not shy away from assessing his first season in Denver.
“Somebody told me I had a good year,” said Martin, who averaged 15.5 points and 7.3 rebounds in 2004-05. “I was like, ‘Nah, I played terrible.’ … People around town don’t think so. But y’all ain’t seen nothing, because it wasn’t me.”
While Martin hopes to be at full strength when training camp opens Oct. 3, he would not guarantee it. He has been lifting weights since the surgery in May, but doctors have not released him to run or jump.
“I want to be the player I was before my knee blew up,” he said. “However long it takes in order for me to do that, that’s what I’m going to do. Whether it’s before training camp or after training camp or whatever the case is, that’s what I’m going to do.”
He also lobbied on behalf of friend DerMarr Johnson for a new contract with the Nuggets, even if it means bypassing potential Dallas free agent Michael Finley.
Calling himself “a little disappointed” Johnson isn’t back yet, Martin added of Finley, “Nothing against him, but I would love to see D.J. come back.”
Martin said he also has told Johnson that he understands if he gets a good offer elsewhere.
“I think we should keep (last season’s team) together,” Martin said.
Speaking from Las Vegas, Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said he remains in contact with representatives for Johnson and another free-agent guard, Greg Buckner.
“I’m disappointed that we don’t have all our guys back, but we all know this is a business and things don’t always work out that way,” Vandeweghe said, later adding, “We’d love to have those two guys back and we want them back.”
Van Exel loses money
Nick Van Exel’s decision to ask the Nuggets to trade him in 2002 proved costly.
The Portland Trail Blazers exercised a team option to waive Van Exel to keep from paying him $12.8 million this season.
That money used to be guaranteed, but after he asked the Nuggets to trade him, he had to allow a team to opt out in the final year of his contract to help make the 2002 trade with Dallas work.
Had Van Exel, 33, refused to do that, his agent Tony Dutt believes he would still be a Nugget.
“If it was up to me, he would have never left Denver,” Dutt said.
Dutt said several teams are interested in the 12-year veteran.
Dallas and Houston could have interest in him. Dutt also said the Nuggets could be in the mix. Vandeweghe declined comment on Van Exel.
“Obviously that’s one of the teams out there,” Dutt said.
Adam Thompson can be reached at 303-820-5447 or athompson@denverpost.com.
Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com.
