Nuggets center Marcus Camby, a possible moving piece during offseason roster shuffling, reiterated his desire to remain with Denver: “I want to be here, but I also want to be where I’m wanted.”
Asked if he currently felt wanted, Camby said, “I don’t know, I don’t know. Every other day there are (trade) rumors and stuff like that. I’m just trying to enjoy the offseason. That’s all I can really do at this point.”
Camby lives in Houston during the summer but returned to Denver on Thursday to attend a Cambyland Foundation event for “Marcus’ Mentors,” local high school students who tutor and mentor elementary students.
Five of the mentors are headed to college, thanks in part to a scholarship from Cambyland.
“I feel like a proud father,” Camby said.
The 34-year-old center is set to make $11.25 million next season, followed by $10.9 million in 2009-10. He finished last season with 9.1 points per game, 13.1 rebounds and a league-best 3.6 blocks, while finishing second in the defensive player of the year voting. The Nuggets lost in the first round of the playoffs for the fifth straight season, and Camby averaged just 3.3 points.
This summer, numerous Nuggets assistants have flown to Houston to work with Camby, who has also worked out with players Steven Hunter, Anthony Carter and J.R. Smith.
“I love it here,” Camby said of Denver. “My family and kids love it. I don’t want to go anywhere else. But I understand that it’s a business.”
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
