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Kleiza is a better player now. "I think I've changed my game," said Kleiza, averaging 19.5 points and 7.2 rebounds in Lithuania's six games while shooting 55.2 percent. "I'm doing way more things that what I did in Denver. I'm not that one-dimension player that was just shooting threes. I think the year that I invested in Europe really helped.'' FanHouse.com

Toronto Raptors, Linas Kleiza 

"I'm very happy to be in Toronto," Kleiza said. "Right now, it's a great opportunity for me. But it's on me if I'm going to take advantage of it." One will see if Kleiza will have shaved by the time he dons a Raptors uniform. He said he began to wear a beard while playing Greece and, with Lithuania 6-0 at the Worlds, isn't planning on any trims until after the tournament. "I lived in Greece for a year so a close shave doesn't do it,'' Kleiza said. "You got to grow it out a little bit." FanHouse.com

Toronto Raptors, Linas Kleiza 

Kleiza never comes right out and says he was unhappy in Denver, but that is the impression he leaves in a 15-minute interview at the Polat Renaissance Hotel here in Istanbul. It is the hotel of choice for 14 of the 16 teams that qualified for the knockout portion of the tournament. Only the American and Turkish teams are not housed here. “I just felt it was a good move by me to improve my career and improve as a player,” Kleiza said of the move to Greece. “I had a big role on a very big team, a very good team. That kind of helped improve all my skills and allow me to show what I wasn’t able to do in Denver. Toronto Sun

Toronto Raptors, Linas Kleiza 

“In Denver I was a role player and I did it pretty good,” he said of his spot on the roster backing up superstar Carmelo Anthony. “But coming back here and showing I could do a lot more things I’m not just that player that I was in Denver. That’s why I want to go back to Toronto and prove myself all over again. Show people that I was a better player than I was in Denver.” Toronto Sun

Toronto Raptors, Linas Kleiza 

Kleiza is not surprised at all that very few Greeks ever submit to the temptation of an NBA career. “From a Greek point of view, why would they leave?,” Kleiza asks surprised the question was even posed. “They make great money, you’re living in your own country. Greece is nice. It’s very nice. Those two teams (Olympiakos and Pantheikos) make it very hard for players to leave because of the money and stability and all those things. Greece was good. I experienced some things in Greece I will never experience again. Basketball-wise, playing for Olympiakos against Panathinaikos, you will never experience anything like that anywhere.” Toronto Sun

Toronto Raptors, Linas Kleiza 

Raptors vice-president Maurizio Gherardini says the year in Greece completely revamped Kleiza’s game. “He is a more complete player,” Gherardini said, having seen Kleiza in the five games Lithuania played at the FIBA world championship. “He works more at both ends of the floor and I think he has learned more to use his game mixing the inside and outside better. As much as he counts on his three-point shot, he works his man close to the basket. He’s mixing things up in a more consistent way.” Toronto Sun

Toronto Raptors, Linas Kleiza, Maurizio Gherardini 

The Raptors have not abandoned their pursuit and remain determined to sign the defensive specialist, sources said, but that would require Barnes to accept lesser terms than he expected. Since Toronto recently spent the bulk of its $5.8 million mid-level exception to sign Linas Kleiza, it doesn't have the available funds to sign Barnes outright to a deal that starts in the neighborhood of $4 million. ESPN.com

Eric Smith: No new news on Kleiza. Paperwork still being done. As for Barnes, nothin new; everything tight-lipped right now. That should answer many! Twitter

Chris Tomasson: George Karl tells FanHouse Nuggets would have matched offer sheet on Kleiza had they not signed Harrington. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Linas Kleiza, George Karl, Al Harrington 

The Denver Nuggets won't match the four-year, $18.8 million offer sheet Toronto has put down on restricted free-agent forward Linas Kleiza. "It was intimated to us that they won't match,'' Kleiza's agent, Bill Duffy, told FanHouse on Thursday night. "He's ecstatic.' FanHouse.com

Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, Linas Kleiza 

"I respect that organization,'' Duffy said of Denver. "But (Kleiza) felt very strongly about playing in Toronto. He's very excited. He loves the international dynamics of the team (Kleiza is from Lithuania), and will battle for a starting job (with Toronto small forward Hedo Turkoglu having been traded to Phoenix).'' FanHouse.com

Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, Linas Kleiza 

Marc J. Spears: Harrington signing by DEN will clear way for L. Kleiza to go to TOR after restricted FA signed offer sheet recently, Y! Sports source said Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, Linas Kleiza, Al Harrington 

Bill Duffy, the agent for Linas Kleiza, believes Denver's move means the Nuggets won't match the four-year, $18.8 million offer sheet extended last week by Toronto to Kleiza, a restricted free-agent small forward. "I guess that takes them out of Kleiza,'' Duffy told FanHouse, referring to the 6-8 Kleiza, who now would be in even more of a logjam playing behind 6-8 starter Carmelo Anthony and with Harrington also able to play small forward. FanHouse.com

Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, Linas Kleiza, Al Harrington 

Chris Tomasson: Linas Kleiza says 1st year of 4-year, $18.8 million Toronto offer sheet worth $5 milion so it's front-loaded deal to hamper Nuggets matching Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, Linas Kleiza 

Linas Kleiza has a simple request for the Denver Nuggets: Don't match the offer sheet he signed Thursday. Kleiza, who was with the Nuggets from 2005-09 before becoming a restricted free agent last summer and leaving to play last season in Greece, said the offer sheet he signed with Toronto is for $18.8 million over four years. "I want to play with Toronto,'' the forward said in a phone interview with FanHouse. "I hope things work out and (the Nuggets) allow me to do that.'' FanHouse.com

Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, Linas Kleiza 

The Nuggets last month extended Kleiza a $2.7 million qualifying offer, but that was just to keep him a restricted free agent. He said he got no offers from Denver. "I haven't talked to anybody with the Nuggets,'' he said. FanHouse.com

Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, Linas Kleiza 

Eric Koreen: Kleiza very clear that he doesn't want Denver to match offer sheet. Says he doesn't know what they will do, though. Twitter

Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, Linas Kleiza 

Linas Kleiza in Raptors hat. Says he doesn't want Denver to match. Wants to be here. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, Linas Kleiza 

“I’m glad to have him,” Raptors swingman Sonny Weems, who was on Denver two years ago as well, said. “He can score. He can shoot the ball. We’re going to need shooters next year to stretch the defence out. “He’s a real cool dude.” National Post

Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, Linas Kleiza 

Denver Nuggets restricted free agent forward Linas Kleiza signed a four-year, $18.8 million offer sheet with the Toronto Raptors on Thursday, his agent, Bill Duffy, told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher. The Nuggets, who made a qualifying offer to Kleiza last month, have seven days to match the Raptors offer. ESPN.com

Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, Linas Kleiza