Denver Nuggets coach George Karl is scheduled to undergo surgery Thursday in Utah for prostate cancer, a team official told the Rocky Mountain News on Tuesday.

The official believes Karl's cancer was caught in the early stages. The surgery will be performed at hospital in Salt Lake City.

Marko Jaric, a Los Angeles Clippers restricted free-agent guard, toured the Pepsi Center and had dinner with Nuggets officials. He is scheduled to meet with coach George Karl this morning before flying to Cleveland for a visit with the Cavaliers.

"I consider Denver one of the more interesting teams," Jaric said before he was to have dinner with Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe and assistant general managers David Fredman and Jeff Weltman. "I spent some quality time. . . . I like the organization, the team and the Pepsi Center is a great facility."

Jaric declined to discuss salary needs or speculate on the Nuggets' chances of landing him. But the combo guard said he could "help (the Nuggets) get better."

"I want to make the decision that's best for me," said Jaric, whose agent, Bill Duffy, said five or six teams are interested.

With Sarunas Jasikevicius committed to Indiana and Antonio Daniels pledged to Washington, the Jazz now are prepared to enter the fray for Los Angeles Clippers restricted free agent Marko Jaric.

They are not, however, alone ? nor are their hopes much beyond that of a long shot.

Jaric, a 26-year-combo guard from Belgrade who has played three NBA seasons for the Clippers, reportedly will visit Denver today and Cleveland on Wednesday.

The Jazz have not entertained Jaric yet but might soon.

All three suitors, however, are in a tough spot, since in this instance L.A. holds all the cards: Because Jaric is restricted, the Clippers can match any offer sheet he signs ? and seem inclined to do just that.

That in mind, the Jazz will continue to peruse the shrinking free-agency market and pursue potential trade opportunities.

"We've been talking to a lot of people," Jazz basketball operations senior vice president Kevin O'Connor said Monday night, "and we're going to continue to look and continue to decide what's best for us."

Seeking to bolster their backcourt, the Denver Nuggets tentatively are scheduled to meet with restricted free agent Marko Jaric on Tuesday at the Pepsi Center.

Jaric, a 6-foot-7, 217-pound combo guard, would be the first free agent to visit Denver since the recruiting period began July 1.

Not that the Nuggets haven't been busy.

General manager Kiki Vandeweghe last week decided not to buy out the contract of veteran Voshon Lenard, and he has been working the phones in search of options.

In addition to Jaric, the Nuggets also have expressed interest in Seattle SuperSonics free agent Ronald Murray and Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Latrell Sprewell.

Denver has its $5 million midlevel exception available as well as a $1.7 million exception. Jaric probably would command the $5 million first-year salary.

Greg Buckner and the Nuggets would like to get a deal done, but both parties are being patient, as the mutual interest is clear.

?He wants to stay in Denver," said Buckner's agent Steve Kauffman in an interview with RealGM's Christopher Reina on Wednesday.  "The GM (Kiki Vandeweghe) wants him there, it is just a matter of how their cap situation plays out.?

Buckner in in "high demand" by about four clubs, as he has become one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders.

"With a player like Greg Buckner, only the better teams understand his value," said Kauffman.

Kauffman also represents defensive specialist Ben Wallace.

Without question Earl Boykins is a bargain. He was the Nuggets 4th leading scorer at 12.4 points a game and was second in assists with 4.5 a game. While The Nuggets could not get an equal player in terms of production for the same salary, they might be better off without him.

Every player should try to prove that he belongs in the NBA every game by trying his hardest. But it isn?t just about trying; it?s also about playing smart. This can indeed be a difficult balance. While Earl consistently tries hard, he does not consistently play smart and thus hurts his team.

The Denver Nuggets would like to bring guard Greg Buckner back next season but three playoff team reportedly have interest.

"According to Eastern Conference sources, two of the teams are the Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards."

The Nuggets do want to bring Buckner back though.

"I've said many times I'd like to bring Buck back. I think it would be very, very good," Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said Monday.

According to Eastern Conference sources, two of the teams interested in Greg Buckner are the Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards.

The Nuggets have talked about bringing Buckner back.

"I've said many times I'd like to bring Buck back. I think it would be very, very good," Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said Monday.

Buckner is hoping to get a chunk of Denver's mid-level exception of about $5 million.

Denver has chosen not to buy out guard Voshon Lenard's $3.52 million contract. Lenard, the 2004 NBA 3-point champion has averaged 12.2 points in 10 NBA seasons and could have been bought out for $250,000.

"We're very excited to bring Vo back," Vandeweghe said. "He's been one of my favorite players. He's a guy who comes to play every night. He's a workhorse. It hurt us to not have him with us last season. I thank (owner) Stan (Kroenke) for bringing him back because it's a financial commitment."

Lenard's agent Joel Bell said his client worked out for the Nuggets on Thursday morning in Las Vegas during a summer league practice. Vandeweghe said Lenard received a positive evaluation from team doctors, which included a recent MRI test.

"We're very comfortable with it," Vandeweghe said of Lenard's health.

Former Nuggets forward Nikoloz Tskitishvili, who also was in Las Vegas on Wednesday, said six NBA teams he wouldn't name are considering him as a free agent.

"I'm going to play in the NBA (next season instead of Europe)," Tskitishvili said. "I don't care about money."

He finished the 2005 season with the Warriors, where he was used as frequently as he was in Denver.