HoopsHype.com Rumors

Denver Nuggets guard Arron Afflalo will sit out the next two games in hopes he can return strong for the push run and the playoffs. Heading into Tuesday night's showdown against Oklahoma City at the Pepsi Center, Afflalo had missed eight of the Nuggets' previous 11 games while battling a strained left hamstring. ESPN.com

Denver Nuggets, Injuries, Arron Afflalo 

If Sunday had been a playoff game, Nuggets guard Arron Afflalo could have played, according to coach George Karl. But now, with six games left, the plan is to get Afflalo ready for the actual playoffs. Afflalo has twice tweaked his injured left hamstring after returning to play, and the L.A. native sat out Sunday in Denver's 95-90 win against the Lakers. "We talked about not rushing it," Karl said. "We're hoping it would heal fast, and we'll talk about it (today)." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Injuries, Arron Afflalo 

Chris Tomasson: Just talked to Nuggets guard Arron Affalo who has missed last 2 games (hamstring strain). Doesn’t seem optimistic about playing Monday at NO Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Injuries, Arron Afflalo 

Kroenke said the Nuggets also want this summer to re-sign starting shooting guard Arron Afflalo, who will be a restricted free agent. FanHouse.com

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Arron Afflalo 

Chris Dempsey: Arron Afflalo had x-rays taken on his left hand at halftime; came back negative, it's possibly a deep bruise and he says he'll play on Tue Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Injuries, Arron Afflalo 

Nuggets head coach George Karl recognized Afflalo's potential last season, saying his staff agreed their shooting guard was ready for a bigger role in the offense in 2010-11. "We thought it clicked on last year, we were just dumb coaches and didn't give him enough opportunity last year," Karl tells HOOPSWORLD. "We knew very early this year that we had to open up the window for him to play more and have more responsibility and he's been great. We hope he can do it for 82 games and sustain it. That's the question for a young player getting more opportunity, will he keep the focus and keep the discipline for 82 games?" HoopsWorld

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Arron Afflalo 

I brought up Afflalo with George Karl and he told me this pretty cool tidbit. Remember, Karl has been an NBA head coach since 1984: "Arron is a joy to coach. He's probably one of the most enjoyable guys I've ever coached." Ever. That's pretty high praise. Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Arron Afflalo 

As for Afflalo, Karl said that he is "consistently a get-better guy, which doesn't happen that often in the NBA. He gets better almost every week in something. Now we're studying more film with him (on defense). He definitely gets it." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Arron Afflalo 

Nuggets guard Arron Afflalo was pleased he was even in the conversation. Monday's deadline to sign him to a contract extension came and went without Afflalo signing, so he'll be a restricted free agent next summer. But the blossoming pro, in his fourth season, wasn't upset. "I believe it's a privileged position to even be having the ability to have that conversation right now, with only two or three guys in my class even signing," Afflalo said. "So, from that standpoint, if my agent and management were talking, I definitely appreciate it. . . . I put my best foot forward." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Arron Afflalo 

Afflalo is in the last year of his rookie contract. He was drafted in 2007 by the Detroit Pistons. The Nuggets have the ability to match any offer Afflalo receives during free agency. "It's the nature of the business," Afflalo said. "I value this organization, and I hope they value me. We'll see what happens next summer." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Arron Afflalo 

A 20-point preseason scoring average didn't translate into a contract extension for guard Arron Afflalo. But he wants to re-sign with Denver next summer as a restricted free agent. "Oh yeah,'' Afflalo told FanHouse on Monday, reiterating what he had said last month. "I love the situation (in Denver). I definitely value the organization and the opportunity they gave me. Hopefully, next summer it will happen (a re-signing with the Nuggets).'' FanHouse.com

Denver Nuggets, Arron Afflalo 

The Nuggets did talk to Afflalo's representatives. But it was determined there wouldn't be an extension offered by Monday's deadline for players from the 2007 first round to sign deals that would start next season. "I'm fine. That's fine,'' Afflalo, the No. 27 pick in that draft, said of becoming a restricted free agent next summer. "I'll put my best foot forward this year.'' FanHouse.com

Denver Nuggets, Arron Afflalo 

Chris Tomasson: Sources tell FanHouse Nuggets won't sign guard Arron Afflalo to an extension by today's deadline, making him restricted FA next summer. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Arron Afflalo 

Chris Tomasson: More Afflalo: "I definitely value the organization and the opportunity they gave me. Hopefully, next summer it will happen (re-signing).’’ Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Arron Afflalo 

Whatever frustration Anthony is dealing with inside isn't spilling onto the hardwood. He's already in regular-season form, averaging nearly a point a minute in the preseason. 'Melo's teammates say he's the picture of professionalism in the midst of rumors. "I'm sure behind closed doors management will take care of that," Arron Afflalo said. "But Carmelo has been great. He competes every day, and the team is happy to have him and we're going to keep trying to progress forward." NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Carmelo Anthony, Arron Afflalo 

Afflalo said he knows of nothing being close regarding an offer being made by the Nuggets. But even if the deadline passes without anything getting done, he expects to re-sign next summer with Denver. "Not that I know of, not right now,'' Afflalo said of the Nuggets having made any offer to his agent, Sam Goldfeder, who did not immediately return a message. "It would be nice (to sign an extension by Nov. 1). I love Denver. I love the situation so I'd rather it happen now than later. I'm sure it (signing at some point with the Nuggets) will happen.'' FanHouse.com

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Arron Afflalo 

When the Nuggets acquired Afflalo, one NBA executive privately discounted the impact Arron would make given his lack of athleticism and offensive game. That's something Afflalo has heard his entire career. He laughed when confronted with the executive's comments. "Of course. Of course. [I hear that] all the time but I just look at the history of my life; the history of how I've progressed as a player. High school I started at the bottom, I finished as a McDonald's All-American," said Afflalo. "College I came in, even as a McDonald's All-American, started at the bottom finished first-team and my team made the final four. I had expected no different coming to the NBA. I encourage myself. I kept confidence within to keep working throughout the years and it's going to show. It's going to show and that'll be behind me." HoopsWorld

Denver Nuggets, Arron Afflalo 

He may have come into the league primarily as a defender, but not only does he aspire for more - he's willing to put the work to evolve. "Honestly it's not all that I am," said Afflalo. "I take pride in being a complete basketball player. So with that in mind, if I have to come into the NBA and be a defender, then that's what I'll do to start and keep getting better. It's not the definition of what I am from the beginning." HoopsWorld

Denver Nuggets, Arron Afflalo 

Guard Arron Afflalo said he wants to remain long-term with the Nuggets. Denver has until Oct. 31 to sign Afflalo to a contract extension that would kick in for 2011-12. If one isn't signed, Afflalo becomes a restricted free agent next summer. "Without even speaking of a contract, I just love it here,'' said Afflalo, making $1.96 million this season. Speaking about a contract, Afflalo said "of course'' he would be open to signing one by the end of October to keep him in Denver. FanHouse.com

Denver Nuggets, Arron Afflalo