"Re-signing me," he said.

Andersen is the Nuggets' most urgent priority in a summer that will test the organization's ability to continue to be frugal, yet field a championship-caliber team. He is one of possibly seven free agents.

Andersen wants to return.

"What better place to play than at home?" Andersen said. "I love this city, I love this state. I appreciate everybody in the whole town for backing us and helping us prove others wrong."

But getting Andersen back into the fold won't be easy - or cheap. Andersen played last season on a one-year, $998,398 contract. He'll command a multiyear deal that could be in the neighborhood of the mid-level exception, which was $5.585 million last season.

Andersen, in his first full season back after a two-year NBA drug suspension, was second in the league during the regular season in blocked shots at 2.5 per game. He quickly became a fan favorite, the kind of player that makes it easier to market the team and get people in the stands.

Forward Linas Kleiza has decisions to make as well. He and the team were unable to reach an agreement during the season on a four-year contract extension. Kleiza is a restricted free agent, meaning the Nuggets can match any offer tendered to him by another team. Kleiza also had said he would go to Europe and play, but he has backed off that stance.

"I'm going to be playing in the NBA next year, that's what I want to do," Kleiza said. "But if a great opportunity comes along, you got to look at it."

He said his first desire is to come back.

Dahntay Jones played his way from a fringe player to one that at least is on the minds of NBA coaches and players. He played this season on a one-year $926,678 contract.

"I think my services may be wanted by other people," Jones said. "But I enjoyed my role here, and the guys I'm able to play with and able to have an impact on the organization. I'd be willing to come back (in that role). ? I have to do the best thing for my family."

Guard Anthony Carter played on a one-year, $1,147,523 contract.

"I want to stay here," Carter said. "The family's happy here. We're going to make this our home. We don't want to move nowhere, but we got to see what the situation is and go from there."

Center Johan Petro is a restricted free agent, and guard Jason Hart is an unrestricted free agent. The Nuggets may be able to find some wiggle room if center Steven Hunter, who missed the season with a knee injury, exercises an early termination option in his contract. He made $3.8 million this season and would be in the same neighborhood next season.

He has until July 1 to decide.

If the Nuggets want any input from Chauncey Billups, he said he'd gladly share his opinion.

"I think I know what wins," Billups said. "I think I know what pieces are important to put in place. If they ask me, I'll certainly tell them what I feel. But I'm not going to go to them. That's not my job."

Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com --------------- Nuggets' free agents

The Nuggets have several free agents they must decide whether to re-sign or not:

Restricted ( Nuggets can match any offer): Linas Kleiza,

Johan Petro

Unrestricted: Chris Andersen, Anthony Carter, Jason Hart, Dahntay Jones

Early termination option: Steven Hunter

Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post