When the Nuggets declined their team option on Vlatko Cancar for the 2024/25 season, multiple reports indicated that the two sides would likely work out a new minimum-salary deal that would both increase the forward’s salary (from the $2.35MM the option would have paid to $2.43MM) and reduce Denver’s cap hit (from $2.35MM to $2.09MM).
That deal hasn’t happened yet, but Cancar – who is representing Slovenia at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Greece after missing the 2023/24 season with a torn ACL – expressed a desire to return to Denver, per Antonis Stroggylakis of Eurohoops .
“I’m still waiting on their decision, We’ll see,” Cancar said. “… I want to be back. My goal is to be back. Hopefully there’s room.”
As Harris Stavrou of SPORTS24 tweets , Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth was at the Olympic qualifiers on Thursday watching Cancar and the Slovenians secure a spot in the semifinals by defeating New Zealand. Nuggets scout Marty Pocius was also in attendance with Booth, tweets Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports.
Here are a few more notes on free agency:
- Even after signing Monte Morris , the Suns are still believed to have interest in veteran point guard Kyle Lowry , tweets John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7. However, Gambadoro says Lowry may be a long shot for Phoenix since the team can only offer the veteran’s minimum to outside free agents. The Suns are also still working on a new deal for their own free agent Josh Okogie , Gambadoro adds.
- The Sixers definitely have interest in free agent forward Caleb Martin , according to Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports (Twitter link ), but he may be out of range of what they can realistically offer him. Philadelphia is expected to continue to monitor Martin’s market, says Neubeck.
- The Pistons and Lakers were among Buddy Hield ‘s other free agent suitors before he decided to join the Warriors, per Shams Charania of The Athletic . According to Charania, the veteran sharpshooter chose Golden State “because of the opportunity to win.”