The Nuggets have waived center Brian Butch and SG/SF Coby Karl. Butch ruptured his patella tendon playing for the Nuggets’ summer team. They will likely have to pay him until he’s fit to play which will likely be in January or February. Karl played in 7 games (1 start) for the Warriors & Cavaliers last season and he averaged 16.1 minutes, 4.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He has now played in 24 games (1 start) in his two years in the NBA and he has averaged 7.7 minutes, 2.4 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. It’s possible that the Nuggets will bring Karl back to play for his father. If that happens Coby will become the first player in NBA history to play for his father’s team.

The Nuggets have signed 26-year old power forward Shelden Williams to a 1-year deal worth around $1 million bucks. Williams played in 54 games (0 starts) for the Celtics last season in which he averaged 11.1 minutes, 3.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. He has now played in 244 games (31 starts) in his four years in the NBA and he has averaged 13.9 minutes, 4.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. This signing shows you how concerned the Nuggets are about the health of Kenyon Martin.

The Nuggets have re-signed 35-year old point guard Anthony Carter to a 1-year deal worth around $1 million bucks. Carter played in 54 games (7 starts) for the Nuggets last season and he averaged 15.9 minutes, 3.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. He has now played in 204 games (79 starts) in his four years with the Nuggets and he has averaged 22.8 minutes, 5.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game. I like this move for the Nuggets as Carter is a solid player to have sitting near the end of the bench.

The Denver Nuggets have signed 30-year old SF/PF Al Harrington to a 5-year, $34 million dollar deal. Harrington played in 72 games (15 starts) for the Knicks last season and he averaged 30.5 minutes, 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He has now played in 800 games (441 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 14.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Harrington has also shot 35.5% from three point range which is outstanding for a player his size. Look for Harrington to possibly be the starting power forward for the Nuggets until Kenyon Martin is ready to return to action. This was a good signing for the Nuggets.

25-year old forward Linas Kleiza has decided to leave Greece and come back to the United States to play in the NBA. The Toronto Raptors quickly jumped and offered Kleiza a 4-year, $20 million dollar contract. Because he’s a restricted free agent the Nuggets have 7 days to either match Kleiza’s offer or let him go to Toronto. Kleiza has played 4 years for the Nuggets appearing in 301 games (36 starts) in which he has averaged 19.0 minutes, 8.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. With Kenyon Martin gimpy right now I think the Nuggets should match the deal Kleiza got from the Raptors. Plus, it might make Carmelo Anthony happy.

UPDATE: (7/16/2010) - The Nuggets have decided to let Linas Kleiza play in Toronto.