Santa Monica, Calif. – Carmelo Anthony wants to be a Nugget for a long time.
The third-year standout forward said Saturday he wants to sign a long-term contract with the Nuggets this summer. While an offer won’t be determined officially until next season’s salary-cap figure is announced, Anthony would be projected to sign a six-year extension for between $70 million and $80 million.
“Yes, I’m going to sign it,” Anthony said before the Nuggets’ shootaround in preparation for Game 1 of their playoff series with the Los Angeles Clippers. “I want to be here. All that moving? You’ve got to get acclimated to that city and that next organization. I don’t want to do that.”
While Nuggets management doesn’t comment on contract negotiations, the organization is expected to offer its leading scorer a maximum contract extension when it first becomes possible on July 12. The contract would go into effect starting with the 2007-08 season. Anthony is scheduled to make $4.69 million next season.
“I want to be here,” Anthony said. “I started something great here.”
Anthony averaged a career-best 26.5 points during the regular season. He also shot career bests of 48.1 percent from the field and 80.8 percent from the free-throw line while increasing his scoring average by 5.7 points.
General manager Kiki Vandeweghe said it’s important the Nuggets retain their best player.
“Melo is one of the best basketball players in the league, if not the best at his position,” Vandeweghe said. “Plus, the fact of what he means in our community (is important). Those are guys you keep.”
Anthony and Vandeweghe have formed a close relationship the past three years, since Vandeweghe drafted the former Syracuse star. Anthony acknowledged he has heard the rumors that Vandeweghe won’t get his contract renewed by the Nuggets after it expires Aug. 1. He said he is concerned about Vandeweghe’s future.
“I don’t want Kiki to leave,” Anthony said. “He brought me here, a guy that I’ve gotten to know for three years. He’s not just a GM to me. He’s a teacher, a teacher of the game.”
Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke is not one to discuss contracts, and Vandeweghe declined to comment about his situation. When asked if he planned to talk to Kroenke about Vandeweghe, Anthony said, “That’s not my way.”
Anthony’s representation, BDA Sports Management, has played a major role in helping him land endorsement deals. While BDA has an office in Los Angeles, Anthony said he told his representation company recently that he didn’t want to take part in any major meetings so he could focus on the playoffs.
“I’ve shut everything down as far as business,” Anthony said. “I don’t want to do no business. No meetings. I may do a couple of generic meetings. But no sit-down pow-wows. Nothing that’s going to be too overwhelming. They agree with it. That’s the good part.”
Before the playoffs, Anthony spoke with two of his fellow NBA class of 2003 members, Cleveland’s LeBron James and Miami’s Dwyane Wade. James made his playoff debut Saturday against Washington with a triple-double. Anthony and Wade are making their third playoff appearances.
“I talked to them both over the two-way (pager),” Anthony said. “Dwyane has been there several times. It’s Le- Bron’s first time. I told him to have fun out there.”
Staff writer Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com.
