There's nothing like the open market to prove a point.

The Nuggets could have kept small forward Rodney White away from that market for another year if they had taken his $2.48 million option for 2004-05. Instead, White is hoping that he has played himself above that number and that some NBA team will back it up this summer.

Asked if his 10.4-point scoring average during the past five games has helped make Denver wish it had exercised the option, White replied, "I would hope they think that already."

The word "frustrated" continues to crop up with any conversation with White; his agent, Dan Fegan; and even Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe about White. The third-year player has gotten his time lately but never has been able to guess when his next stint on the bench would come.

"Rodney's been great," Vandeweghe said. "He's had a very, very tough year. He's fought through a lot of adversity. I've always been a big fan of Rodney's and I'm very proud of Rodney, what he's been able to do. He hasn't said a word. He's just gone about his business and played very, very well."

"I'm disappointed that it's taken Coach Bzdelik this long to understand Rodney's value," Fegan said, later adding, "Rodney's not the only young player who's not been given the full opportunity to develop. (Bzdelik has) wandered off from the mission."