<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Greg Buckner will be bound for free agency Monday. Steve Kauffman, Buckner's agent, reiterated Thursday that Sunday's deadline will pass without the Nuggets guard picking up his $1.8 million player option for next season. Kauffman said in April that Buckner wouldn't invoke his option. While Kauffman said no action is needed for Buckner to become a free agent, Kauffman plans to write the Nuggets a letter as a courtesy. Buckner can begin negotiations with any team July 1. "He's said before that he'd like to return (to Denver)," Kauffman said. "We'll find out July 1." Buckner, who averaged 6.7 points during his second season with the Nuggets, signed a two-year, $3.47 million deal last off-season. Because Buckner has Early Bird rights, the Nuggets will be able to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him up to about $5 million for next season. Other than Buckner, the Nuggets' unrestricted free agents will be forward Reggie Evans, guard DerMarr Johnson and guard Howard Eisley. Restricted free agents will be forwards Nene and Francisco Elson. </div> Source
