Heading into his second full season as head coach of the Denver Nuggets, George Karl will take on a larger role of shaping the team, the Denver Post is reporting.

"Last year at the end of the season we said, 'You've (players) earned the right to stay together,"' said Karl. "At the end of this season we said the organization has the right to make some changes. Basically I took what was there when I got here and rode with it.

"Now it's my time to say what I want."

Karl will begin meeting with players around June 15 but gave no priority to when he might meet with disgruntled forward Kenyon Martin. Martin was suspended during the Nuggets' playoff series with the Los Angeles Clippers. The two haven't talked since.

"I don't know if Kenyon will be among the first three or four players I talk with," Karl said. "I don't think there's any forced time frame. I would say between now and the draft would be my time frame to get all the players through a lunch or a couple-hour meeting before the NBA draft and talk about the season."

According to a report published in the New York Daily News, two Nets sources said the team has and will continue to discuss whether obtaining Kenyon Martin this summer is realistic and feasible.

The Nets signed and traded Martin to Denver in July 2004 for three future first round picks after refusing to give him a maximum contract.  He is still owed $70 million over the next five seasons.

Nets president Rod Thorn says he does not want to trade Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson or Nenad Krstic unless a superstar comes back in return.

The Denver Post is reporting that the Nuggets have put out feelers for forward Kenyon Martin, and were recently turned down by the Portland Trail Blazers when inquiring about a Zach Randolph for Martin swap.

According to the Denver Post, another NBA source said the Nuggets have turned down possible trades for Martin from a Western Conference and Eastern Conference team.

Scott Perry, director of player personnel for the Pistons, has been mentioned as a candidate for the general manager position with the Nuggets, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.

Perry has not been contacted by the team.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were without a general manager this time last year and Mark Warkentien was in charge of personnel decisions until the team hired Danny Ferry.  This year, he will fill a similar role with the Denver Nuggets, now that Kiki Vandeweghe's tenure is over.

"We are not concerned right now about job titles," Nuggets executive vice president Paul Andrews said in a statement. "As an organization, the only titles we are concerned with are division, conference and NBA championship.

"Mark, Jeff, David and our veteran coaching staff have over 100 years of NBA basketball experience and we are extremely confident in their abilities to lead us through the draft."

Kenyon Martin paid his former teammates a visit on Monday night before the Nets faced the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

His suspension has fueled speculation that he will be dealt this summer and the forward was asked about his status by the media.

"I'm still there (with the Nuggets)," Martin said. "I'm going to ride it out. Whatever happens, happens. I have no control over it. I'm not going to stay up nights thinking about it."

The Orlando Magic had co-general managers last season, as did the Boston Red Sox between Theo Epstein's departure and return, so will the Denver Nuggets follow suit?

Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke is giving consideration to a two-man general manager situation, according to those close to the process who have communicated with the Rocky Mountain News.

A source told the paper that director of player personnel Mark Warkentien has a good chance of being one of two top front-office officials.

The early list of rumored candidates to replace general manager Kiki Vandeweghe include Tommy Sheppard, Washington's director of basketball operations; San Antonio assistant GM Sam Presti; Detroit vice president for basketball operations John Hammond; Utah assistant coach Scott Layden; and Mark Warkentien, the Nuggets' director of player personnel.

Tommy Sheppard worked in Denver's front office from 1994 util 2003.

Rumor out of Denver, according to the Denver Post, is that the Nuggets will look to deal Kenyon Martin to Portland in exchange for Zach Randolph.

Randolph, like Martin, has had difficulty getting along with his head coach and has made overtures about wanting out of the Pacific Northwest.

Denver placed calls last offseason for Randolph and the Blazers weren't interested, but the situation has changed.

Nuggets' assistant GM Mark Warkentein helped draft Randolph, another reason why a trade might be logical.

Nuggets' owner Stan Kroenke let the Denver media know on Saturday, via email, that there would be no rush to name the organization's next general manager.

"We have not named an interim general manager,?? Kroenke wrote. "We have a team of individuals in place that can handle our basketball decisions in the short term as we look to take our next step. We currently have more than a combined 80 years of basketball experience in our front office ? not to mention a veteran coaching staff ? that will help us through this transition.??

Kroenke did not mention how long this "short term?? period might be.

"The process for identifying the right leaders to bring us to our goal has begun and as soon as we finalize the personnel, announcements will be made,?? Kroenke wrote. "We are looking extensively at several candidates ? internally and throughout the league ? and will assemble a front office that gives us the best chance of moving forward and winning an NBA championship.??