Las Vegas – What looked like the smoothest week of negotiations possible has turned out to reveal a few minor wrinkles, though nothing that should keep the Nuggets from retaining star forward Carmelo Anthony.
Denver still plans to sign Anthony to a five-year extension today worth approximately $80 million. Exact terms will not be set until next season.
But Bill Duffy, one of Anthony’s agents, said Tuesday he expects the contract Anthony signs today to include an early termination option on the fifth year. That means Anthony may opt out before the 2011-12 season if he decides to push for another raise as a free agent.
Anthony and the Nuggets originally agreed to a straight five- year extension. But when news surfaced that Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James would seek an option in a play to sign another maximum contract sooner, Anthony’s agents re- examined the deal.
“LeBron’s structure brings up some interesting discussions worth discussing,” said Calvin Andrews, another of Anthony’s agents.
Nuggets director of player personnel Mark Warkentien sounded unconcerned about any possible changes.
“In any of these deals, when you get the attorneys involved, there’s questions of where you put the commas and the periods,” he said. “We’re hopeful of having everything done (today). … Very early we agreed to agree. Now you’re breaking it down to exact words.”
Asked if he would like to lock down Anthony for as long as possible, Warkentien replied: “The most exciting thing about any of this is three years ago Denver chose Carmelo. We’re hopeful that Carmelo chooses Denver.”
Anthony should be the only player the Nuggets sign today. Their six-year, $60 million deal with Nene stands, but agent Dan Fegan said the power forward would not return from his native Brazil to sign it until July 18.
The San Antonio Express- News reported that the San Antonio Spurs will extend an offer sheet to Denver free agent Francisco Elson for as many as three years. Since the center is restricted, the Nuggets would have the option to match the deal.
Footnotes
David Lee, the agent for Orlando free agent Trevor Ariza, said Denver is among several teams that have contacted him about the small forward. “We would just prefer a situation where he has an opportunity to be on the court and show what he has,” Lee said Tuesday. … Agent Andy Miller said the Nuggets have not had any “substantive conversations” with him about his client, Al Harrington. … The website Draftexpress.com reported summer-leaguer Yakhouba Diawara is close to signing a two-year deal with Denver. Warkentien declined to comment on the matter. “I don’t know yet. Just waiting. I’m just playing, just having fun,” Diawara said about the report. … Denver’s Earl Boykins recently signed an endorsement deal with KeyBank. … The NBA set this season’s salary cap at $53.135 million. The mid-level exception will be $5.215 million and the tax level is $65.42 million. Any team that exceeds that figure will pay a $1 luxury tax for every dollar it is over. … The Nuggets’ summer league team beat Golden State 104-88 on Tuesday.
Staff writer Adam Thompson can be reached at 303-820-5447 or athompson@denverpost.com.
