The Spurs received twice the good news on Thursday when the Denver Nuggets revealed they were not going to match the offer sheet signed by center Francisco Elson, allowing both Elson and ex-Knick big man Jackie Butler to officially join the Spurs organization.

The Spurs hope Elson and Butler, 21, can give them production at center at less than half the combined $12.5 million Nazr Mohammed (Detroit) and Rasho Nesterovic (Toronto) will make next season.

The third year of Butler's contract also is at the Spurs' option, so the team could conceivably have only Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili under contract after the 2007-08 season, allowing them significant salary-cap room to reshape the roster.

The Nuggets informed Elson's agent, Calvin Andrews, late Thursday afternoon they didn't plan to match the Spurs' offer unless an unexpected trade allowed the team to move another of its frontcourt players. When one didn't materialize, Denver simply allowed the 11:59 p.m. deadline to lapse.