--Before the Nuggets were ousted 4-0 in the first round of the playoffs by the Lakers, a top Nuggets executive dismissed speculation about coach George Karl's job future.
"The question doesn't even merit a response," Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien said when asked if there's a chance Karl might not be back. A source close to the situation stressed to the Rocky Mountain News that Karl will be the coach at training camp next fall. But any decision ultimately will be up to Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke.
"It's a business," forward Carmelo Anthony said of speculation regarding Karl's job status. "We hear things every day about us, about us players ... People are going to have an opinion. I can't really say if it's good or bad."
Karl, who arrived in Denver in January 2005, has two years and about $6 million left on his contract. There has been speculation regarding his job for a few months, including the February start-up of the Web site www.firegeorgekarl.com, but Karl's job now looks safe.
--Forward Eduardo Najera said he would re-sign with the Nuggets only if George Karl returns as coach.
"He would be the only reason I would come back. He's the best coach that I've ever had," said Najera, who becomes a free agent July 1.
Nevertheless, Najera stressed this summer he's "going to explore the market." Najera will become a free agent after making $4.95 million in the fifth year of his contract. He realizes he might not be able to land a deal this summer for that amount.
"Based on my (expiring) contract, I saved some money, so I think I'm in a good position (this summer) to pick and choose," Najera said.
Najera said he will see what the Nuggets offer. Wherever he goes, he wants to be on a winning team.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "If we get some kind of defense in our game, we'll be right there. I don't think we're far away." -- Guard Allen Iverson on what the team needs to do in the offseason.
