Brian Shaw praised Kenneth Faried's play in the second half the regular season and said he expects the forward to remain with the Denver Nuggets next season.

“I definitely want to have him back,” Shaw said. “And expect to have him back.”

Faried was the Nuggets’ best player after the All-Star break, leading the team in scoring (18.8 points per game), rebounding (10.1) and shooting percentage (54.6 percent).

“He should be here,” Randy Foye said. “He’s a blue-collar guy, the fans love him. To me, he’s the face of the franchise. The way the fans (love) him. When he brings something, they love watching that guy.”

The Nuggets can begin discussions about a contract extension for Faried on July 1.

The San Antonio Spurs finished the 13-14 regular season with the best efficiency differential in the NBA with a mark of +8.1. The Spurs scored 110.5 points per 100 possession while allowing 102.4 points per 100 possessions.

The Los Angeles Clippers ranked second, followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors. 

The Indiana Pacers, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors and Phoenix Suns round out the top-10.

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The Denver Nuggets targeted a handful of teams to inquire their interest in aquiring Kenneth Faried for a 2014 first round pick or a quality wing player on a rookie contract, according to sources.

The Nuggets reportedly has been willing to trade Faried in part because they fear that he will demand an eight-figure salary in free agency.

Faried said he would like to remain with the Nuggets.

"Ty and I — we’re the cornerstones of the franchise now,” Faried said. “It’s exciting to be a part of that.”

Faried is eligible for a contract extension in the offseason. If he and the Nuggets do not agree to new deal by Oct. 31, he will become a restricted free agent in 2015.