HoopsHype.com Rumors

Denver executive Masai Ujiri joked that Afflalo is "out of exile" — it took both sides a couple of weeks to hammer out the contract for the restricted free agent. "I always anticipated being back," said Afflalo, who averaged 12.6 points per game last season. "Obviously, I had to respect the process of being a free agent. The timing with the lockout and the training camp and free agency starting probably made it a little more difficult. But I always anticipated being a Nugget. I got my true first opportunity to flourish as a player here." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Masai Ujiri, Arron Afflalo 

Marc Stein: Just going up on ESPN online: Sources say Nuggets and restricted free agent Arron Afflalo agree to five-year deal in excess of $43 million Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Arron Afflalo 

The Denver Nuggets are close to finalizing a deal to re-sign restricted free agent Arron Afflalo, according to sources close to the process. ESPN.com

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Arron Afflalo 

Sources told ESPN.com that the sides have reached terms on a deal that, with bonuses, would pay out in excess of $43 million over five years to Afflalo, who was coveted by numerous top teams that generally presumed that the Nuggets would match any offer sheet to the 26-year-old. ESPN.com

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Arron Afflalo 

Sam Amick: Source confirms Denver will hold onto restricted free agent guard Arron Afflalo with five-year, $43 million deal. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Arron Afflalo 

The deal with Afflalo ensures that the Nuggets have retained their top two free agents. Last week, Denver and center Nene -- widely regarded as the top available free agent -- reached terms on a five-year, $67 million deal. The Nuggets also acquired swingmen Rudy Fernandez and Corey Brewer in a trade with Dallas last week as they continue to re-shape their roster in the wake of last February's deal sending Carmelo Anthony to New York. ESPN.com reported earlier this month that the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers were among the playoff teams trying unsuccessfully to engage the Nuggets in sign-and-trade discussions. ESPN.com

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Arron Afflalo 

Benjamin Hochman: #nuggets remain confident that afflalo will re-sign.. He's in town now.. Like Melo used to say, "we shall see" Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Arron Afflalo 

The Nuggets remain "very optimistic" they will re-sign Arron Afflalo, team executive Masai Ujiri said Thursday. But whether last year's starting shooting guard returns or not, Fernandez will be a key to their fortunes with his 3 and "D." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Masai Ujiri, Arron Afflalo 

Benjamin Hochman: Masai Ujiri said he's "very optimistic" the #nuggets will re-sign Afflalo Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Arron Afflalo 

Ken Berger: Nuggets, who also acquired Rudy Fernandez and Corey Brewer Tuesday, making "good progress" with RFA Arron Afflalo, source says. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Arron Afflalo 

Afflalo is in high demand after becoming a strong defender and picking up his scoring (a career-high 12.6 per game last season). But Ujiri said he is confident Denver can keep him. “We’re moving, and it’s going good,” he said. “He’s our final piece. We’re going to close and try to make sure we get that done. He’s a huge part of our team.” NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Arron Afflalo 

Chris Tomasson: Sources say Nuggets waiting to see what happens with Nene is holding off what they might do with restricted free agent Arron Afflalo Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Brooklyn Nets, Free Agency, Nene, Arron Afflalo 

A league source also said that no deal has yet to be made with Arron Afflalo, the gritty shooting guard who is a restricted free agent. Afflalo and the Nuggets have previously said they expected to work out a deal to bring "Triple-A" back to Denver, but numerous teams have expressed interest in him (similar to Nene, the Nuggets can offer Afflalo a fifth year). For now, the Nuggets can only prepare with who actually is on the roster. And the two names that stand out are point guard Lawson and forward Danilo Gallinari. "It's going to be a big year for both of us," said Lawson, who began last season as the backup to Chauncey Billups. "We're going to take this challenge on together." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Arron Afflalo 

It’s no secret that the Chicago Bulls are searching for a starting shooting guard. They’ve reached out to a number of free agents, but sources close to the situation say that the Bulls are also exploring the possibility of a sign-and-trade for either Jamal Crawford or Arron Afflalo. HoopsWorld

Chicago Bulls, Free Agency, Trade, Jamal Crawford, Arron Afflalo 

Sources told ESPN.com that the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, despite possessing no cap space to bid for the 26-year-old swingman, will continue to press the Nuggets to see if they’re amenable to sign-and-trade discussions. Sources say New Jersey and Minnesota, meanwhile, are among the teams with salary-cap space weighing whether to extend an offer sheet after free agency officially starts Dec. 9 that the Nuggets will have three days to match to keep Afflalo. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets, Free Agency, Trade, Arron Afflalo 

Afflalo, for his part, is waiting patiently back home in Los Angeles, insisting that he can handle another week or two of uncertainty in a free-agency process that started five months late. “I’ve been thinking about this for 20 years,” Afflalo said with a laugh over the phone this week. “But I know I’m kind of towards the end of it. I was aware of the timing of free agency and the lockout, so I had mentally prepared for the situation that I’m in now.” ESPN.com

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Arron Afflalo 

Marc Stein: Bulls and Lakers lust after Afflalo, I'm told, but it'll take a cap-room team to assemble an offer good enough to get him out of Denver. Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Arron Afflalo 

Marc Stein: Heard it from handful of GMs over past 2 days: FA w/most suitors after top bigs (Nene/Chandler/MGasol) is DEN restricted FA Arron Afflalo. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Arron Afflalo 

Marc Stein: Heard it from handful of GMs over past 2 days: FA w/most suitors after top bigs (Nene/Chandler/MGasol) is DEN restricted FA Arron Afflalo. Bulls and Lakers lust after Afflalo, I'm told, but it'll take a cap-room team to assemble an offer good enough to get him out of Denver Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Arron Afflalo 

Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri said he has talked to Afflalo's agent and he feels "comfortable that we'll get something done there." The Nuggets offered the center a contract extension but he said he wants to test the market, which makes re-signing him more challenging. "We made an offer right before July 1. Nene obviously opted out and went into free agency," Ujiri said. "I think he wants to test it a little bit. We respect that. We respect what he's doing. We respect Nene as a player. We want Nene back here and we are going to do our best to get him back here playing for the Nuggets." ESPN.com

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Arron Afflalo