<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Smith might have some competition on the wing as the Nuggets are expected to sign swingman Yakhouba Diawara to a two-year, $1.1 million contract. Diawara, who averaged 11.8 points for Denver's summer league team, said he expects to sign with the Nuggets sometime next week. "I'm just waiting for my agent to contact me," he said after working out at the Pepsi Center. Diawara, a native of France, attended Pepperdine University and has spent the past two seasons playing in Europe. The Nuggets will have to pay a standard $500,000 to buy out his contract from Climamio Bologna of the Italian League. Karl compared Diawara with former Nuggets guard and defensive specialist Greg Buckner. "He's a 6-7 competitor," Karl said. "That's the best way to phrase it. He wins because he competes so hard." Once Diawara's deal becomes official, the Nuggets will have 12 players under contract for about $61.6 million. The NBA's luxury tax threshold is $65.42 million. </div> Source
