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More Nuggets NewsNuggets LinksThe Denver Nuggets have gotten rid of one Predrag, but they're going hard after another. Seattle restricted free-agent center Predrag Drobnjak has emerged as a top target for the Nuggets. With the Nuggets having offered Chris Andersen a non-guaranteed contract for next season, it's apparent they're looking to sign a more high- profile big man. "They've made it no secret they're looking for another big man,'' said David Bauman of SFX Sports, Drobnjak's agent. Drobnjak is from Montenegro, the same area of Serbia and Montenegro as Predrag Savovic. Savovic, who like Drobnjak is nicknamed "Peja,'' was waived Monday by the Nuggets. "Montenegro is a very mountainous area like Denver, and Peja would like it there,'' Bauman said. The 6-foot-11 Drobnjak averaged 9.4 points and 3.9 rebounds last season for the SuperSonics while playing in all 82 games, 69 of them starts. In two seasons, Drobnjak, 27, has averages of 8.3 points and 3.7 rebounds. The Nuggets were unsuccessful in pursuing free-agent centers Alonzo Mourning and Brad Miller and they passed on Michael Olowokandi. With the hope of moving Nene, last season's starting center, to power forward and with the health of Marcus Camby always a question, the Nuggets would like another center. "Denver is definitely near the top of Peja's list, and they're very interested in him,'' said Bauman, who said Atlanta, Miami, Utah and the Clippers, to a lesser extent, also are interested. "He's the best big man available (in free agency).'' The SuperSonics would have 15 days to match an offer sheet signed by Drobnjak. However, Bauman doesn't anticipate Seattle would match because center Calvin Booth has four years and $24 million left on his contract and centers Vitaly Potapenko and Jerome James both have two years and about $12 million left on their deals. |
