There are new indications that the Denver Nuggets might not even make an offer to free-agent Kenyon Martin, thinking that the New Jersey Nets may simply match any offer sheet Martin signs.

So that means that Martin's strongest hope for a maximum salary contract could be the Atlanta Hawks, which have already offered him this deal by some accounts.

Martin may not be helping his cause by repeating that staying in New Jersey is his top choice.  

Denver may be unwilling to make an offer to Martin in part because it believes its cash will be needlessly tied up for the 15-day period while the Nets decide whether to match.  The Nuggets may instead be interested in creating deals to bring other top free-agents to Denver, perhaps even Kobe Bryant.