BIGGEST NEEDS: The Nuggets need help up front after center Marcus Camby was traded and Eduardo Najera bolted to New Jersey as a free agent. With Anthony Carter 33 and Chucky Atkins 34, the Nuggets need a point guard for the future, but they may try to get through another season with a stop-gap point.

FREE AGENT FOCUS: Unrestricted were G Anthony Carter, F Eduardo Najera and G Yakhouba Diawara. Carter agreed to return. The Nuggets wanted Najera back, but he signed with New Jersey. The Nuggets initially did not show interest in retaining Diawara, but now have contacted his camp. Restricted is G J.R. Smith. The Nuggets want to re-sign Smith and vow to match any offer.

PLAYER NOTES:

--Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony was bothered by trade rumors that swirled around him in June, but he's now confident he won't be traded. "I don't think I'm going anywhere," Anthony said. "It started getting heavy out there. I was trying to get some clarity (from the Nuggets). I got it."

--The Nuggets are thin at center after Marcus Camby was traded to the Clippers, but Steven Hunter believes he can help fill the void despite playing sparingly last season. "I've got to be prepared to produce," he said. I'm ready to work."

--Nuggets point guard Taurean Green, whose contract is only guaranteed if not waived by Aug. 1, showed little in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. He averaged 6.5 points and 1.6 assists while shooting 23.3 percent.