The Nuggets' Francisco Elson, who is making the minimum $719,373, said he wishes to remain in Denver. At 30, he also knows this might be his best opportunity to land a big contract.

"It ain't like I don't want to be here," he said. "I want to be here, but I want to play, too. You've got to be professional about it and see where it goes. Opportunities are slim. . . . It's going to be a tough decision for both parties."

According to the Associated Press, Nuggets center Marcus Camby missed the Nuggets' game against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night with a mid-back strain.

Camby reported tightness in his back Wednesday morning, the team said. He is listed as day to day.

Joseph Santos, the ex-manager of Nuggets forward Nene, has filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against Nene seeking more than $100,000 in damages, the Denver Post is reporting.

Santos claims he had a seven-year contract with Nene, signed last July, that paid him 6 percent of Nene's annual gross revenue, according to a lawsuit filed March 16 in Denver District Court.

Santos alleges Nene breached that contract when he fired Santos this month because the player "failed to set forth any good cause for the termination as required by the contract," the suit states.

Nene, 23, also fired his agent Michael Coyne this month and hired agent Dan Fegan. Nene will be a restricted free agent after this season.

Dan Fegan represents injured Nuggets forward- center Nene, who isn't expected to return this season from a knee injury suffered in the season opener.

When asked about the restricted free agent's chances of re-signing with Denver, Fegan said: "The conversations I've had with the Nuggets have all indicated that they really like him and would like to keep him." Karl said he would find a way to carve out 15 to 20 minutes per game for Nene when he returns.

After a three-week audition, the Nuggets are expected today to sign veteran point guard Howard Eisley for the rest of the season.

Eisley, who completed his second 10-day contract Wednesday, is serving as the backup to starter Andre Miller. Retaining him was a logical move after Boykins broke his left hand last week.

"Everybody here is pretty much status quo unless John Stockton wants to come out of retirement and come to Denver," Karl said.

Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said the team has made no decision on the future of Howard Eisley. His second 10-day contract expires Wednesday. If the Nuggets wish to re-sign him, they must do so for the rest of the season.

Marcus Camby had an MRI performed on his left knee today. The results were negative.  He is listed as day-to-day and is questionable for Wednesday's game vs. San Antonio.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James was named today as the NBA?s Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, March 13 through Sunday, March 19.

In three games during the week, James led Cleveland to a 2-1 record by averaging 30.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game.  He ranked second in the Eastern Conference in points per game during the week and led Cleveland in scoring and assists in each game.

It marks the third time this season (weeks ending Nov. 20, 2005 and Jan. 30, 2006) and the sixth time in his career that James has won the award.  

The Denver Nuggets? Carmelo Anthony was named Western Conference Player of the Week.

Nuggets guard Earl Boykins will miss the next 4-5 weeks after fracturing two bones in his left hand, the team said Thursday.

Team officials said doctors determined Boykins will not need surgery, but his hand was placed in a cast and Boykins was placed on the inactive list.

The Denver Nuggets have recalled G/F Julius Hodge from the Austin Toros of the D-League, Nuggets General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe announced today.

Hodge was originally assigned to Austin on Feb. 7th and recalled by the Nuggets on February 24th before being re-assigned to Austin on February 25 th.  He has played in 11 games for the Toros, averaging 17.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.7 apg and 0.82 spg in 30.2 minutes.