--Coach George Karl wants to bring back a similar team to last season, when the Nuggets surprisingly advanced to the Western Conference finals. During the early stages of free agency in July, the initial priorities are for the Nuggets to re-sign center Chris Andersen and point guard Anthony Carter, both unrestricted free agents.
"We have a good chance of signing Chris," Karl said. "I think he will be a better offensive player for us, too." Andersen wants to return to Denver. But he could get attention from a number of teams, and could get a deal starting for around the midlevel exception of about $5.5 million.
Carter should be easier to bring back. Last year he agreed to a one-year, minimum contract at the start of free agency. With Carter, 34, not expected to command a great deal of attention in free agency, it's very possible he quickly again could reach a similar deal with Denver.
?My hope would be I love what A.C.'s been for us," Karl said. ?I think A.C. and I have a kind of a special connection that I would love to continue."
--The Nuggets are heading overseas. Far overseas.
The Nuggets on Oct. 8 will face Indiana in a preseason game in Taipei, Taiwan. It will mark the first-ever NBA game in the nation.
"October 8 will be an historic day for the NBA and for the millions of basketball fans in Taiwan," said NBA Greater China CEO Tim Chen. "Taiwan fans are very passionate about the game, and we are honored to be able to present a matchup of these two great teams for them."
The Nuggets are expected to be overseas for about a week. They are expected to play the Pacers in a second game in the region, although nothing officially has been announced.
Excluding play in Toronto, it will mark the first international game for the Nuggets since they faced Golden State in Monterrey, Mexico in an October 2006 preseason game.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He's a combination of a little bit of Tony Parker's speed with a Deron Williams body." -- Nuggets coach George Karl, on point guard Ty Lawson, acquired from Minnesota after draft night after he was taken by Minnesota with the No. 18 pick.
