The Nuggets might be interested in acquiring the services of guard/forward Mickael Pietrus this summer, according to the Denver Post.

The team desperately needs to add players to fortify their defense, and he likely wouldn't cost the Nuggets very much money.

Eduardo Najera wants to remain with the Nuggets, but he claims that he will still test the waters of free agency, according to the Denver Post.

"I'm gonna do it," Najera said. "It's a business."

He is an unrestricted free agent, and admitted that he doesn't anticipate making a decision until August or September.

"This is gonna be interesting," Najera said. "I want to come back. It takes time. Nothing can be done until the end of the summer."

RealGM Note: As the 157th most productive player in the NBA, Najera 'deserved' to make $4.25 million in 2007-08.  He had a per 40 FIC of 11.6 (NBA median is 10.0) and a Reina Value of -16%.

Allen Iverson has one year left on his current contract, which pays him a base of $20.8 million.

"If I could, I would get it done tomorrow," Iverson said following the Nuggets' departure from the playoffs. "Once I talk to my people (agents), I'll have an idea."

Iverson has consistently expressed a wish to remain with the Nuggets.

RealGM Note: As the 8th best player in the NBA according to our season FIC, Iverson had a +0% Reina Value and 'deserved' to make his actual salary of $19.01 million.

Kobe Bryant scored 31 points Monday night, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 107-101 victory over the Denver Nuggets and a sweep of their first-round NBA playoff series, as reported by the Associated Press.

The Nuggets became the first 50-win team to be swept in the first round of the playoffs.

The Lakers will meet the winner of the Utah Jazz-Houston Rockets series.

While many Nugget players decided not to talk to the media on Sunday, those who did refuted suggestions from Carmelo Anthony that they quit in game 3 of the team's opening round series with the Lakers, the Denver Post is reporting.

"I don't think the team quit," forward Linas Kleiza said. "I know you guys want to get guys when they're frustrated and say things they don't want to say. Nobody quit. We're all together."

From Carmelo Anthony's view, the team looked lifeless in the 102-84 loss.

"I don't think he meant it," Kleiza said. "Nobody quit. Nobody quit on each other. It's just him being the competitor he is. Sometimes things like that come out of people's mouths after tough losses."

Added forward Eduardo Najera, "That's just frustration. I wouldn't necessarily call it quitting. Different guys, they are going to have different opinions, and you've got to respect that."

"But I felt that the game, we were there the whole time. Obviously, we got down 20, and it was a different mood, of course. I wouldn't necessarily call it quitting, but that's just his opinion."

Carmelo Anthony claims that his shot, and not his effort, have been off during the Nuggets' first round series with the Lakers, according to the Denver Post.

"Can't nobody question how hard I'm out there playing," Anthony said after the Nuggets'loss on Saturday. "Can't nobody do that."

He's shooting 35.3 percent from the floor through the first three games of the series.

"The shots that I missed today, I'll take them in 82 games," Anthony said. "Every game, I take those same exact shots. I make them with my eyes closed."

- LAL 102, DEN 84
The Los Angeles Lakers are just one win away from sweeping the Denver Nuggets after dominating Game Three on Saturday afternoon.

Kobe Bryant had 22 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds and Lamar Odom tallied 12 points and 8 boards for the Lakers, who shot 46% from the floor and forced sixteen Denver turnovers.

Carmelo Anthony posted 16 points and 7 rebounds and Linas Kleiza added 15 points and 9 boards for the Nuggets, who made just 37% of their shots and outrebounded Los Angeles by twelve.

The Lakers had a 30-18 scoring advantage in the third quarter, putting the game out of reach before the Nuggets could make a run.

Game Four will be Monday night in Denver as the Nuggets look to avoid a four-game sweep at the hands of the Lakers.

Game FIC Scores
Kobe Bryant, LAL - 18.4
Luke Walton, LAL - 17.1
Marcus Camby, DEN - 12.3
Carmelo Anthony, DEN - 3.4

There are rumors that if the Nuggets choose to fire coach George Karl that the Knicks could come calling, according to the New York Post.

Several years ago Karl claimed that he had always wanted to coach in New York, something that might become a possibility within the next few weeks.

There have been reports out of Denver that the team could fire Karl at the end of their season, especially if the Lakers complete a sweep of the Nuggets in their first round series.

"The longer you're with a team, the more people like you and the more people dislike you," Karl told the Rocky Mountain News. "I don't think it's worthwhile to pay attention to that; to de-energize me and waste my energy."

Linas Kleiza will start for the second-straight game when the Nuggets take on the Lakers at home on Saturday afternoon, according to the Denver Post.

He will be on the floor for the opening tip despite pain stemming from a hyperextended right elbow.

Kleiza posted 10 points and 8 rebounds as a starter in Game Two, a loss to Los Angeles.

Kobe Bryant had 49 points and 10 assists, as the Lakers beat the Allen Iverson-led Nuggets 122-107 on Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in their playoff series, as reported by the Associated Press.

Denver will host games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Monday night.