RMN: Jaric Waiting On Nuggets' Plan
 

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drm...968858,00.html

Jaric waiting on Nuggets' plans
By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News
August 1, 2005

How interested are the Denver Nuggets in Marko Jaric?

That question is about to be answered.

"I will find out (today) what is going on," Jaric, a Los Angeles Clippers restricted free-agent guard said Sunday.

Jaric said the Nuggets and Cleveland are among four teams interested in him. Neither Jaric nor his agent, Bill Duffy, would reveal the other two.

Asked about Denver's interest, Jaric said, "I don't how deep (it is)."

Duffy said, "I think it's strong."

There are indications, though, the Nuggets might choose to hold onto all their $5 million midlevel exception until Aug. 15, the deadline for teams to invoke the so-called amnesty rule. Each team can cut one player and not have his salary count against the luxury tax.

Dallas is considering releasing guard Michael Finley, whom the Nuggets covet, but the Mavericks would prefer to trade Finley.

Duffy plans to speak to Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe today about Jaric, who visited Denver last week. Vandeweghe was unavailable Sunday for comment.

Free agents can begin signing deals Tuesday. If the Nuggets tender an offer sheet to Jaric, the Clippers would have seven days to match. A sign-and-trade also could be arranged.

ETC.: A hospital representative said Nuggets coach George Karl was released Sunday from the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, where he underwent surgery Thursday after being diagnosed with prostate cancer . . . Jay Wright, Team USA's World University Games coach, expects his team to scrimmage Wednesday at the Pepsi Center against Nuggets players working out during the off-season. Metro State players might be used to fill out the roster for the closed scrimmage. Team USA has been having trials since Thursday in Colorado Springs in preparation for the Aug. 12-21 event in Turkey.

tomassonc@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-5125

Meh. Not excited about him, but he could be a nice piece.

Cavs look content with Gooden and haven't been circling the waters for Jaric like they we have been the past couple weeks.

No... he's an ok basketball player.

THIS is a nice piece:

http://photos.surfline.com/albums/bi..._010.sized.jpg

I would love Jaric in some powder blue, personally.

Rhyme -- why? I love big PG's, but it just seems like Jaric hasn't quite put it together yet. Do you think he can? I'm just curious here.

I'll be honest, I've never even seen him play. I don't know why I've got such a hard-on for this kid... I think I just want ANYBODY new to play the 2-spot because I don't like the people we have. I don't like Vo, and although I like DerMarr, I don't think he's a starter..

I think I would prefer Ronald Murray over Jaric, Murray is a proven scorer and he can hit the outside shot. I think we need someone that can give us 12-15 points every night from the 2 spot, and I am not convinced Jaric is that guy. Defensively Jaric looks like the better player, but if we keep Buckner then we would be ok. Demarr has a lot of talent and could be the answer, I don't how comfortable I would be counting on that though. This all being said I think Finley is the best option, but waiting until mid August could be putting all of our eggs in one basket. And who nows maybe Hodge can step right in and play. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Finley is probably a 1 in a million now, Phoenix is going to get them since they traded Johnson.

Although, I'd cream my pants if we got Finley.

I'd still be happy with Murray or Jaric though.

I'm just not convinced Flip can give us anything that DeMarr and Earl can't. I think he's unnecessary.