The Nuggets will look inside the organization for potential replacements for Kenyon Martin, with George Karl also asking more of Nene.

"Having Kenyon with Nene was huge," Karl said, "but that doesn't mean we can't do it with team concepts and philosophies and giving guys pride and responsibility to do it on their own. ... He was a veteran, defensive-minded guy who was a big part of our toughness. Filling Kenyon's minutes is probably the most difficult to do, but in the same sense, I think it can be done."

Karl hinted that Nene will have to exert more energy defensively.

"Nene was basically always the B defender. Now he has to be the A defender. Nene can be in a similar category. The only problem is when you had two of them, you didn't worry about foul trouble. Now can we get a team concept to camouflage that (by rotating in other big men for short snippets)? We also might jump in the pick-and-roll rather than switching all the time."

The Nuggets are using the dribble-drive concepts developed by Vance Walberg in approximately 50 percent of their offense, according to George Karl.

Denver assistant coach John Welsh picked up Walberg's dribble-drive offense when both were coaching in the Fresno area.

"We create our penetration off pick-and-rolls more than he teaches," Karl said. "But the principles hold true both ways. It's just trying to get the ball free to where the defense has to help. And then teaching what happens after that. Everyone has always penetrated the ball, but we teach the reads. ... What I liked about it was, the thing that always frustrated me about American players is they like to play with the ball. Now I allow you to play with the ball, if you attack the defense. I just don't want you to kill grass and stay in the same spot."

The dribble-drive is used by many high school and college programs, most notably Kentucky.

"Coach's big thing with us is he wants 30 layups, 30 free throws, 30 assists, so we want to attack the basket," Welch said of Karl. "We use the concepts of it in NBA schemes. ... It's basically four guys on the perimeter and you try to have multiple penetrations. The first guy is going to attack the rim and, on penetration, the other three guys are moving to spots, depending on where the defense is. If the defense goes one way, you can back door. If the defense helps horizontally, you can move up and come behind."

The offense will also maximize the ability of Danilo Gallinari, who was one of the better passing big men in Europe before coming to the NBA.

"With (Danilo) Gallinari, people are going to realize this year what a great passer he is," Welch said. "He's really underrated as a passer and a playmaker. Everyone knows he can get to the rim and make the 3. So we should be a hard team to guard."

Arron Afflalo is returning to the Nuggets.

The deal is reportedly worth up to $43 million over five years.

Afflalo averaged 12.6 points per game in 2010-11, while showcasing gritty defense and intensity.

The Nuggets acquired Afflalo for just a second-round pick from Detroit, back in the summer of 2009.

The Nuggets have formally re-signed Nene.

“We’ve always said that Nene is a Nugget, and we are happy to welcome him back to Denver,” VP of basketball operations Masai Ujiri said. “Quality big men are hard to find, but we feel we have one of the best. Not only is he a great player, but he is a great person who will be part of our roster for years to come.”

Nene has averaged at least 13.8 points and 7.6 rebounds each of the past three years. Most recently, he averaged 14.5 points and 7.6 rebounds while leading the NBA in field-goal percentage in 2010-11.

Gary Forbes is now a member of the Raptors.

After signing Forbes to an offer sheet, the Nuggets declined to match.

Forbes had a breakout season with Denver in 10-11 and received an endorsement from former and now current teammate Anthony Carter.

“He’d bring a lot of toughness, he can score, he can defend, he’s got a post presence,” Carter said.

“He’s never down, he comes in early and leaves late. It’s always good to have guys like that and I just hope Denver doesn’t match.

The Nuggets and Nene have reached agreement on a five-year contract that will pay him up to $67 million.

The Nets were also pursuing Nene but may be focusing their attention on trying to swing a trade for Dwight Howard who has requested that the Magic deal him to New Jersey.

The Denver Nuggets have acquired Rudy Fernandez and Corey Brewer from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for a second-round draft pick, Nuggets executive vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri announced today.

The draft pick was originally obtained by the Nuggets from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Steven Hunter on Aug. 7, 2009.

“We are excited to add two talented young wing players who have proven themselves in the NBA,” Ujiri said. “They add depth to our roster, something that helped us finish strong last season, and I’m confident they will fit well with Coach Karl’s style of play.”

The Nuggets have agreed to acquire Rudy Fernandez and Corey Brewer from Dallas for a future second round pick.

The Mavericks acquired Fernandez on draft night.

The Milwaukee Bucks have matched the Denver Nuggets offer sheet to restricted free agent Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (6-8, 230) and re-signed the fourth-year forward to a multi-year contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

Under NBA rules, the Bucks had three days to match Denver’s offer sheet to Mbah a Moute or he would have become a member of the Nuggets.

DeMarre Carroll will sign a one-year deal with the Nuggets for the league minimum.

Carroll was traded to the Rockets by Memphis in a February trade involving Hasheem Thabeet and Shane Battier.