Joey Graham has impressed George Karl so much that the Nuggets have already talked about fitting the forward in the rotation during J.R. Smith's seven-game suspension when the season starts.

Those decisions are still to be determined, but what is clear is how much Karl likes Graham's workmanlike style.

"There's a 'how we played' last year that I don't think any of us want to change," Karl said. "Joey has that Dahntay Jones personality. They are different players, going to do it in different ways. But from the standpoint of courage and toughness and the desire to defend, Joey has those personalities."

The Nuggets once tried to trade Linas Kleiza for Graham when he was with Toronto.