<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">By Marc J. Spears, Denver Post Sports Writer With a backcourt need in mind, bigger doesn't mean better for the Nuggets during free agency. Considering Denver would like to save money for the 2004 free-agent market, it's likely the Nuggets will attempt to sign only two marquee free agents this summer with the $18 million they have to spend. Nuggets officials have visited with Miami Heat all-star center Alonzo Mourning and could meet with Los Angeles Clippers center Michael Olowokandi this week. But once teams can begin signing free agents July 16, the Nuggets will have their sights on Clippers point guard Andre Miller, Clippers shooting guard Corey Maggette and Golden State point guard Gilbert Arenas. "We need to address our backcourt," Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said. "We need to address it probably (before center). You're not going to pass up a great player at any position. But if you're going to pin me down on one, it's probably going to be backcourt. "The two toughest positions to fill are point guard and center. I think Nene did pretty well at center. We'd like to get someone there, but guards are what we really need." Maggette and Miller are the front-runners for the Nuggets' backcourt. But there is a major risk in attempting to sign Maggette and Miller because of their restricted free-agent status. If the Nuggets sign a restricted free agent, that player's previous team would have 15 days to match the offer. That scenario could put Denver in limbo for two weeks. The Clippers are well under the salary cap and must sign a minimum of about $31 million in contracts for next season. Clippers executive vice president Andy Roeser recently said the club is inclined to match any offer its restricted free agents sign. Other Clippers restricted free agents include Elton Brand and Lamar Odom. Arenas is also a restricted free agent, but the Warriors can offer no more than the mid-level exception (about $4.7 million). "In the best of all worlds, we'll have everything locked up on the 16th," Vandeweghe said. "But we may be involved with some restricted free agents, so that can make it difficult to know (what will happen). If you give them an offer sheet, you'll have two weeks before you find out. "It's a concern because you're off the market for two weeks. I think it's (worth the risk), definitely if you got a guy you like. You can't be afraid of that." Another challenge for the Nuggets is the competition in the free-agent market. San Antonio hosted New Jersey Nets all-star guard Jason Kidd on Sunday, and the Nuggets are a longshot in that race. Miller is expected to visit the Utah Jazz today. Arenas is expected to meet with Miami and Utah. Maggette's agent said his client will take more visits. Olowokandi is getting strong interest, too. "In some ways, there is a limited number of free agents. In other ways, the teams that have the cap space are in charge," Vandeweghe said. "For the great player, there is always going to be a team there right behind that player." Howard update An NBA source said agent David Falk has called the Nuggets numerous times about several sign-and-trade proposals for his client, Nuggets forward Juwan Howard. Thus far, the Nuggets have balked at all the potential deals since they don't want to affect their salary cap space. Denver would likely have to acquire a marquee player for such a deal to work. One sign-and-trade deal included Howard to the Detroit Pistons for forward Corliss Williamson, point guard Chucky Atkins and center Ratko Vardo. The other was with the Orlando Magic that included point guard Darrell Armstrong. </div>
