The Nuggets have re-signed 26-year old shooting guard Arron Afflalo to a 5-year, $43 million dollar deal. Afflalo played in 69 games (all starts) for the Nuggets last year and he averaged 33.7 minutes, 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He also shot 42.3% from three point range last season for the Nuggets. Afflalo has now played in 300 games (161 starts) in his first four years in the NBA and he is averaging 22.5 minutes, 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Afflalo is a player on the rise and I look for him to score a lot more in 2011-12.

The Denver Nuggets have signed 34-year old power forward Michael Ruffin. Ruffin last played in the NBA back in 2008-09 with the Portland Trailblazers. Ruffin has played in 414 games (58 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 14.4 minutes, 1.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Ruffin gives the Nuggets another big body for the frontcourt.

UPDATE: (12/23/2011) - The Nuggets have waived Michael Ruffin.

The Nuggets have re-signed 29-year old center Nene’ Hilario to a 5-year, $67 million dolllar deal. Nene’ played in 75 games (all starts) for the Nuggets last year and he averaged 30.5 minutes, 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocked shot per game. Nene’ has now played in 527 games (424 starts) in his first 9 years with the Nuggets and he is averaging 29.6 minutes, 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game. This was an outstanding move for the Nuggets as a lot of teams were after Nene’ in free agency.

The Denver Nuggets have acquired 26-year old shooting guard Rudy Fernandez and 25-year old SG/SF Corey Brewer from the Dallas Mavericks for a future second round pick. Fernandez played in 78 games (3 starts) for the Trailblazers last year and he averaged 23.3 minutes, 8.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He has now played in 218 games (9 starts) in his first three years in the NBA and he is averaging 24.1 minutes, 9.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Fernandez could be the starting shooting guard for the Nuggets if they don’t re-sign Arron Afflalo. If they do bring Afflalo back, Fernandez will back him up. Corey Brewer will likely get more time at small forward than he will at shooting guard in 2011-12 for the Nuggets. He played in 69 games (24 starts) for the Timberwolves & Mavericks last year and he averaged 21.9 minutes, 8.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Brewer has now played in 245 games (149 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 24.9 minutes, 8.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game. This was a good deal for the Nuggets as the Mavericks were essentially giving these guys away to create some salary cap space.

The Nuggets have signed 25-year old forward DeMarre Carroll. Carroll played in 12 games (0 starts) for the Rockets & Grizzlies last year and he averaged 4.2 minutes, 0.8 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. He has now played in 83 games (1 start) in his first two years in the NBA and he is averaging 10.2 minutes, 2.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. Carroll will get a shot to win a spot on the Nuggets’ bench in training camp.