July 24, 2008 10:51 PM

Green, Bobby Jones on shaky ground

By Chris Tomasson

One Jones couldn't keep up with another. And nobody was Green with envy about a certain point guard's performance.
Thursday was not a good day for a pair of Nuggets players with non-guaranteed contracts. The Nuggets signed big man Chris Andersen to a one-year guaranteed deal, and agreed to terms on a one-year guaranteed deal with swingman Dahntay Jones.
That could spell the end with the Nuggets for point guard Taurean Green and swingman Bobby Jones. Or at least keep the Nuggets from guaranteeing their contracts for next season.
The Nuggets must make a call by Aug. 1 on Green, when his contract becomes guaranteed for $711,417 if he hasn't been waived. A similar call for $797,581 must be made by Aug. 15 on Bobby Jones.
Green had a disastrous NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, averaging 6.5 points and 1.6 assists while shooting 23.3 percent. It would be a big surprise if the Nuggets let his contract become guaranteed.
Bobby Jones had a better summer league, averaging 10 points, 4.6 rebounds and shooting 41.4 percent. But his chances of having his deal guaranteed were severely hampered by a swingman with the same last name leading the Nuggets in summer scoring with an 18.6 average and getting a guaranteed deal to give the Nuggets 10 such players.
The cost-cutting Nuggets are likely to hold onto the league minimum of 13 players this season. One of the three remaining roster spots is earmarked for restricted free agent J.R. Smith, whom the Nuggets want to re-sign. And another could go to second-round draft pick Sonny Weems, who figures to sign a contract for the rookie minimum of $442,114.
It wouldn't be surprising if the Nuggets would want to keep the 13th roster spot open for a while. That would give the Nuggets the opportunity to make a one-for-two trade, to sign another veteran who could become available for the minimum salary or to have an open spot for players to battle for during training camp.
For now, the Nuggets have 10 players with guaranteed contracts totaling a cap number of $70.67 million. Anthony Carter will make $1.26 million, Andersen $998,398 and Dahntay Jones $926,678, but all three count $797,581 against the cap since the NBA pays the balance of salaries for veterans of three or more years who sign one-year minimum deals.
If Smith returns for the $3.04 million qualifying offer, if the Nuggets keep Weems and if they sign another player who counts the $797,581 minimum against the cap, that would give them a team salary-cap number of $74.95 million. That's $3.8 million over the luxury-tax threshold of $71.15.
But the Nuggets haven't given up on trying to get under the tax line next season. And to do that, they figure to listen to offers for Allen Iverson, due to make $20.84 million.
In the meantime, the Nuggets might not make calls on Green or Bobby Jones until right before their deadlines. After all, either could be used in a trade to a team that wants to clear some salary-cap room.
For now, though, it's not looking good for Green or Bobby Jones having their contracts guaranteed.

Posted by Chris Tomasson at 10:51 PM | Comments (1)