Since trading Nick Van Exel on Feb. 21, 2002, the Nuggets have used an imperfect 10 players at point guard: Tim Hardaway, Kenny Satterfield, Carlos Arroyo, George McCloud, Chris Whitney, Junior Harrington, John Crotty, Vincent Yarbrough, Shammond Williams and Adam Harrington.

That turnover helps explain why the Nuggets' biggest objective this summer is finding a stable point guard who can run the NBA team for years to come. Being $18 million under the salary cap should help them land such a player.

"It's extremely important that we get ourselves a strong point guard," coach Jeff Bzdelik said. "You can't win in this league without (good) guard play."

The Nuggets' top two targets are believed to be Golden State's Gilbert Arenas and the Los Angeles Clippers' Andre Miller, both of whom have shown interest in Denver. New Jersey all-star Jason Kidd is considered a longshot and more likely to sign with a top contender.

Arenas and Miller are restricted free agents. Teams can sign free agents beginning July 16. If either signs an offer sheet with the Nuggets, their former team has 15 days to match the offer.

The Warriors are over the salary cap and can offer Arenas only a midlevel exception expected to be $4.7 million to $4.9 million. But his agent, Dan Fegan, has said the bidding on Arenas will begin at more than $7 million. Miller's agent, Lon Babby, would not divulge a price range for Miller.