HoopsHype.com Rumors

Whether they can beat two of the Thunder-Spurs-Clippers trio in the playoffs depends on two huge questions, notwithstanding the possibility that Denver uses its bevy of midpriced assets to swing a major trade. Rival executives say Denver is projecting calm ahead of the deadline, and the vibe coming from there since the summer has been one of satisfaction with incremental progress and patience with this young core — in part because the team does not want to add much to its current payroll, according to GM Masai Ujiri. Those two questions: Grantland

Denver Nuggets, Trade, Masai Ujiri 

The Denver Nuggets have signed point guard Ty Lawson to a multiyear contract extension, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri announced today. “We felt Ty was ready to take on a lot of responsibility last season and he proved he could handle it,” Ujiri said. “He is maturing as a leader on the court and in the locker room, so it was an easy decision for us to sign him to an extension.” NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Masai Ujiri, Ty Lawson 

The Denver Nuggets have exercised the third-year options on F Kenneth Faried and G/F Jordan Hamilton for 2013-14, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri announced today. Faried, the 22nd overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, averaged 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds as a rookie in 2011-12 and earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Faried also was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for April. NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Masai Ujiri, Kenneth Faried, Jordan Hamilton 

You don't know John Welch. But he's the Nuggets' secret weapon, a workout wizard, an eternal gym rat, George Karl's consigliere. Asked to talk about Welch's importance, Nuggets executive Masai Ujiri said: "I don't want to talk about him — because I don't want any other team to take him. He's the best, he's the best in the NBA, there's no doubt about it. No disrespect to anybody, but he's the best player development coach in the NBA. He takes basketball seriously — his work, his trade." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Masai Ujiri, John Welch 

Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri not only had to field calls from teams with various interests in his players, the Nuggets had to field calls about interest in Ujiri's services. Nuggets president Josh Kroenke said Monday a recent Yahoo report that the team gave permission to the Philadelphia 76ers to talk with Ujiri about possibly their vacant G.M. post was untrue. "You hire good people for a reason, and sometimes other people take notice of that. But we never gave permission to Philly to talk to Masai," Kroenke said. Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Masai Ujiri, Josh Kroenke 

Ujiri said there was never any thought to leaving Denver. "It wasn't a tough decision for me. As long as this guy (Kroenke) doesn't kick me out, I'm here for whenever," Ujiri said. "I love our team, and I love our city." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Masai Ujiri, Josh Kroenke 

The Denver Nuggets will open training camp with 17 players after signing G Anthony Carter and G Ben Uzoh, Nuggets Vice President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri announced today. NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Anthony Carter, Masai Ujiri, Ben Uzoh, Training Camp 

Nuggets executive Masai Ujiri said Monday that the talks are “positive” with Ty Lawson, in regards to the point guard’s contract extension. The team has until Oct. 31 to extend its starting point guard, who had a huge series against the Lakers in the first round last spring. “Talks are good,” Ujiri said. “We continue to talk. It never gets really serious until that date comes.” Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Masai Ujiri, Ty Lawson 

Matt Moore: Ujiri regarding contract: "As long as (Kroenke) doesn't kick me out I'll be here till whenever. Twitter @HPbasketball

Denver Nuggets, Masai Ujiri 

Before widening their search for a general manager this summer, the Philadelphia 76ers aggressively pursued Denver Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, Masai Ujiri 

Ujiri has emerged as a rising star among league front-office executives and had been the 76ers' primary target along with new Atlanta Hawks GM Danny Ferry, sources said. Yahoo! Sports

Atlanta Hawks, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, Danny Ferry, Masai Ujiri 

Nuggets executive vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri is attending the games in London and spent a full day with Mozgov. The visit included a trip to the house where the Russian team is staying. “Timo has been great,” Ujiri said. “He’s looking very good. You can see his confidence playing against the best players in the world.” NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Timofey Mozgov, Russia, Masai Ujiri, Olympics 

The Denver Nuggets have signed free-agent F Anthony Randolph to a multiyear contract, Nuggets Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri announced today. NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Anthony Randolph, Masai Ujiri 

Zach Lowe: Just chatted with Masai Ujiri. JaVale McGee is headed to Houston soon for two weeks of work with Hakeem Olajuwon. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Javale McGee, Masai Ujiri, Hakeem Olajuwon 

The Denver Nuggets have re-signed free agent center JaVale McGee to a multiyear contract, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri announced today. McGee, 7-0, 252, averaged 10.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.55 blocked shots in 20 games with the Nuggets in2011-12. He also appeared in 41 games (40 starts) with the Washington Wizards before being acquired as part of a three-team trade on March 15. NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Javale McGee, Masai Ujiri 

The Denver Nuggets have waived F/C Chris Andersen under the amnesty provision outlined in the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri announced today. NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Chris Andersen, Masai Ujiri 

Yannis Koutroupis: Denver GM Masai Ujiri provides update on JaVale McGee. Negotiations going positively. They're not looking elsewhere and neither is JaVale. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Javale McGee, Masai Ujiri 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Denver GM Masai Ujiri will meet with JaVale McGee's reps to discuss extension in Los Angeles on Monday, sources tell Y! Sports. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Javale McGee, Masai Ujiri 

But the reality is, the Nuggets already have 12 players under contract. Denver also hopes to re-sign Andre Miller and JaVale McGee. Though the team hasn't made a public decision, it appears that Fournier will play overseas next season. "Our roster is pretty full and pretty full with young guys," said Nuggets executive Masai Ujiri. "Another thing that was attractive (with Fournier) was we wanted that flexibility a little bit, and get a very young player. He's 19 years old and really developing. We'll see how that goes." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Javale McGee, Andre Miller, Masai Ujiri, Evan Fournier 

"There's very few seasons that end as well as I think our season ended," Karl said. "But in the same sense, I think we've got to be a little cautious of being too optimistic. But the summer is fun for us. We've always loved the summer. ... And hey, we've got good young players. In the end we might have too many good young players, but that's going to be Masai (Ujiri, Nuggets executive VP of basketball operations) and his (team president Josh Kroenke's) problem. My problem is to make them as confident and ready to go next year." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Masai Ujiri, Josh Kroenke