The Denver Nuggets have exercised the fourth-year option on guard Arron Afflalo?s contract, team Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien announced today.

In his first two games with Denver, he has averaged 1.5 ppg and 1.0 apg in 18.5 minutes.

The Denver Nuggets have signed forward Renaldo Balkman to a contract extension, team Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien announced today. Per league policy, terms of the deal were not released.

Last season, Balkman averaged a career-high 5.0 ppg and 3.8 rpg while shooting a career-high .558 from the field in 53 games with the Nuggets.

Nuggets coach George Karl says that star Carmelo Anthony is looking to play at an MVP-type level this season.

Anthony has 71 points through the season's first two games.

"(He is) trying to move into the level where you're talking about him as an MVP candidate," Karl told the Denver Post.

Karl added that he talked to Anthony about becoming more efficient this year.

"We've talked about extending his efficiency and minutes. I would rather see him have his best assist year, his best assist-to-turnover ratio, his best free-throw year. ... If we have the year I think we're capable of, I'm hoping that maybe 20 to 25 games he doesn't play in the fourth quarter, so I think it makes it difficult, compared to guys who aren't going to have as many blowouts.

"Also, I don't think a scoring title is on my list of importance. My importance would be ? can he have his most triple-doubles and a commitment to be a dominant player in all aspects?"

Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin is feeling healthier now than he has in several years.

"I feel great ? awesome. I haven't felt this good in years. Years, man," Martin told SLAM.

"Probably not like a rookie. I turn 32 in a couple of months."

Martin has missed 141 games over the last six seasons due to a variety of injuries.

"My knees don't bother me now and that is main concern each and every year. That's my main concern. But I was able to do things like get a shooting coach this summer and work on things I felt I missed out on the last few years just having to let my body heal," Martin added.

The first Thursday double-header of the season gave us a pair of hotly-contested games. Derrick Rose fought off an ankle injury to lead the Bulls to a win, while Carmelo Anthony pushed the Nuggets to their second straight victory.

- Chicago 92, San Antonio 85

Team FIC Differential: Bulls +22.9, Spurs -22.9

The Chicago Bulls (1-0) outscored the San Antonio Spurs (1-1) by nine points in the third quarter to open the 2009-10 season with a victory. Luol Deng led with 17 points and nine rebounds, Joakim Noah posted 10 points and 10 boards and Derrick Rose contributed 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Chicago outrebounded San Antonio by eight while turning the ball over just nine times. Tim Duncan starred with 28 points and 16 rebounds, Manu Ginobili tallied 12 points and six boards and Matt Bonner put up seven points and five rebounds in defeat.

Game FIC Scores

Tim Duncan, San Antonio ? 28.3

Luol Deng, Chicago ? 15.3

Derrick Rose, Chicago ? 14.6

Joakim Noah, Chicago ? 13.5

- Denver 97, Portland 94

Team FIC Differential: Nuggets +0.7, Trail Blazers -0.7

The Denver Nuggets (2-0) used a strong fourth quarter to put away the Portland Trail Blazers (1-1) at the Rose Garden. Carmelo Anthony excelled with 41 points and six rebounds, Nene tallied seven points and 11 boards and Chauncey Billups turned in 22 points and six assists. Portland shot just 34% from the field and the two clubs combined to attempt 90 foul shots. Brandon Roy had 30 points, five rebounds and five assists, Rudy Fernandez scored 22 points on 6-for-9 shooting and LaMarcus Aldridge posted nine points and seven boards on Thursday evening.

Game FIC Scores

Carmelo Anthony, Denver ? 21.4

Brandon Roy, Portland ? 17.0

Rudolfo Fernandez, Portland ? 14.8

Chauncey Billups, Denver ? 13.5

? RealGM calculates the Floor Impact Counter using the following formula: (Points + .75 Defensive Rebounds + Offensive Rebounds + Steals + Assists + Blocks - .75 Field Goal Attempts - .375 Free Throw Attempts - Turnovers - .5 Personal Fouls)

( )'s indicate a negative FIC score.

It is also used to rank players and to determine their ?Reina Value.? Click here to view the player rankings with the Reina Value for the current season

The Nuggets advanced to the Western Conference Finals this past spring and have their eyes on a bigger stage.

"Now that we've been to the Western Conference finals, we know what it takes. We know how hard we have to play to get there," reserve Chris Andersen told the Denver Post. "And we can do it. Everybody knows how great we are now."

Andersen figures to play a large role in Denver's success this season. He has a new contract and is coming off a strong effort in 2009 after a two-year suspension for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy.

"He's having a bounce-back part of his life," coach George Karl said. "He's very excited about playing, and excited about giving back. He's just really comfortable to be around."

Andersen will play more this season. Karl expects to increase his minutes to nearly 25 per game.

The Nuggets are unlikely to swing a deal for Warriors forward Stephen Jackson, sources told the Denver Post.

There has been some buzz around the NBA that the Nuggets might be interested in Jackson.

The source told the Post that there have been no significant conversations between the two sides.

Denver has a trade exception worth $7.4 million, which is less than Jackson's $7.6 million contract.

Cleveland and Denver are the two teams with legitimate interest in acquiring Stephen Jackson, according to sources.

The Nuggets have been hesitant to add money, but could make a bold move if they believe it could get them to the next step.

The Mavericks reportedly have no interest in Jackson, who listed the club as one of the teams he would like to be traded to.

Meanwhile, the Spurs have not dismissed the idea of acquiring Jackons but described it as 'remote.'

The Denver Nuggets have waived guard/forward James White, team Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien announced Wednesday.

White made three appearances for Denver this preseason, averaging 7.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg and 1.00 spg in 14.0 minutes per contest. He registered a team-high-tying 13 points (10-14 FT) in 22 minutes during the preseason opener at Utah on 10/1.
 
The Nuggets roster now stands at 13 players.

The Denver Nuggets have waived guard Dontaye Draper and center Kurt Looby, team Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien announced Wednesday.

Draper appeared in two of Denver's first six preseason games, averaging 1.0 ppg, 2.5 apg and 1.00 spg in 9.0 minutes per contest.

Looby saw action in one game for the Nuggets this preseason, tallying two points, two rebounds and a block in six minutes vs. Partizan Belgrade on 10/3.

The Nuggets roster now stands at 14 players.