With the deadline to sign an extension Friday, Kleiza had been close to inking a four-year, $25 million deal that would begin next season. However, Kleiza's agent, Bill Duffy, said Nuggets owner Stan Kroekne decided on Friday morning not to go through with it. "Mr. Kroenke decided he wanted to keep some flexibility open, and we don't disagree with that," said Duffy, who also brought up the possibility of Kleiza going to Europe and said he could end up with a bigger deal regardless of where he plays.

Confirming the parties had been close to a deal, Warkentien said Kleiza remains in Denver's long term-plans.

"We're an organization that's real fond of flexibility," Warkentien said. "At the end of the day, we decided to wait like we did with J.R. (Smith, who signed with Denver in August as a restricted free agent). It's like we're engaged and we're waiting for the wedding... We love (Kleiza)."

--Nuggets coach George Karl said center Steven Hunter could practice some as soon as Monday after missing the final six preseason and first two regular-season games due to a sore right knee.

"We might manage him differently (with) back-to-back games and practices," Karl said. "He's in a tough spot because he's got to earn time, and, if he works hard, his knee (hurts). I feel bad for him, because this summer and in training camp, he moved up in my mind."

Hunter played in just 19 games last season, never getting a real chance to play much due to a knee injury that eventually required surgery. He came back this fall and said the Nuggets would see the "real Steven Hunter."

Unfortunately for Hunter, all they've seen so far is more knee pain.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's been long enough. I thought he was still on vacation." -- Nuggets guard Anthony Carter, joking about teammate Allen Iverson, who, bothered by injuries, averaged just 5.3 points in the preseason but scored nine of his 25 points in overtime of Friday's 113-103 win over the Clippers.