The Nuggets anchored their main attraction to the Pepsi Center on Wednesday but failed to do the same with members of their supporting cast.
On the day they trumpeted Anthony’s extension, unrestricted guard Greg Buckner signed with Dallas and restricted center Francisco Elson inked an offer sheet with San Antonio.
Buckner will receive at least three years guaranteed, with options leaving the door open for two more. At best, he could make just less than $19 million over five years, though a more likely scenario would have him make about $15 million over four.
While Buckner is gone for good, the Nuggets still have a week to match what is believed to be a two-year, $6 million offer to Elson. However, coach George Karl did not sound optimistic about it, calling it a “danger” for Denver to match the deal.
“Hopefully Francisco feels we helped him in this process and he got better,” Karl said. “He’s a proven player who will have to be replaced, and it will be a difficult replacement.”
Meanwhile, Buckner said he was happy after landing at what he called his first choice.
“It’s crazy it worked out,” he said.
Aside from serving as a defensive specialist, the two-guard represented Denver’s top perimeter threat on a team that finished last in the NBA in 3-point shooting this past season. Buckner’s .354 3-point percentage may not have been phenomenal, but his 86 3-pointers easily led the team, and he averaged a career-high 6.7 points.
Nuggets director of player personnel Mark Warkentien was on the phone with Buckner’s agent until about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday before conceding.
Warkentien thanked Buckner for his two years in Denver. As for shoring up the team’s weakened outside shooting, he said: “It’s not easy by definition. But we just press on.”
With the Nuggets having committed approximately $140 million to Anthony and Nene this summer, Buckner said he figured his return would be a longshot.
“My time in Denver was great,” he said, later adding: “They wanted to take care of their young kids. I thought it was going to work out that way. You have to take care of Melo and Nene. There wasn’t much money left.”
Dallas owner Mark Cuban expressed pleasure in bringing Buckner back to the team that drafted him.
“‘Buck’ is a warrior who has expanded his offensive game considerably,” Cuban said in an e-mail. “We are excited to add the pride of Hopkinsville (Ky.) to the Mavs.”
All of the Nuggets’ top big men have battled injuries in the past, meaning the Nuggets will have to find a player like Elson if they let him walk. The Dutchman averaged 4.9 points and 4.7 rebounds with the Nuggets last season, his third with the team. His ability to play in a pinch – Denver went 32-22 when he started last season – earned him the nickname “Geico.”
“You’re sad,” Karl said. “He was fun for us this year. He hated to be called an insurance policy, but he was.”
Before news of Elson’s contract surfaced Wednesday, the center gave little away in discussing his preferences.
“The San Antonio Spurs are a good team, but whatever happens, happens,” he said.
Kroenke praises moves
Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke would set no timetable on a permanent general manager hire, but called himself “very pleased” with the smooth negotiations with Anthony and Nene, who is due to sign next week. Warkentien has served as Denver’s chief negotiator since Kiki Vandeweghe’s departure.
“It’s evident we’re making progress,” Kroenke said. “Everybody’s saying, ‘Wow, you’ve got the young players.’ We’re getting work done. We’re continuing to look at our organization. We’re not like other organizations. We run it a little differently. We’ve got seasoned people that know what they’re doing.”
When told of Kroenke’s comments, Warkentien said simply, “It’s nice.”
As for Nene’s imminent signing, Kroenke said: “Melo obviously wants him here. Melo was impressed with what he did in (preseason) camp. I thought he was ready to have a heck of a year last year. Unfortunately, the injury is what it is. Having said that, he’s one of our best young players and he’s 23 years old. … Tons of teams around the league wanted to grab him and still do.”
Footnote
In their final summer league game in Las Vegas, the Nuggets beat Boston 112-108.
Staff writer Adam Thompson can be reached at 303-820-5447 or athompson@denverpost.com.
Staff writer Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com.
