Karl thinks Nene staying with Nuggets

Karl seemed optimistic that the Nuggets could persuade Nene to stay. The Brazilian is due to make $12 million next season but could sign a three-year extension with Denver, the team he's played for his entire career.

"I have no problem with Nene expressing his opinions on his position. I think me and the organization very much want him here," Karl said. "I think with the situation of this year, maybe he felt like he needed more contact (about the contract). (But) from what I know with my relationship with Nene and his love for Denver, I just think things are going to get worked out, I really do.

"I know (executives) Masai (Ujiri) and Josh (Kroenke) have kind of talked to him, and I'm going to follow up on that — I'm sure it will be in the next couple of weeks."

As for Nene's low-post companion, it's possible that free agent Kenyon Martin could sign elsewhere. Karl was quick to point out that it's too early in the summer to make roster speculations — free agency doesn't start until July 1 — but he did suggest that big man Timofey Mozgov could play about 25 minutes per game next season.

"But will he play 82 games? I don't know. But in time, I can see him playing a good stretch of minutes for us. But you've got so many guys that are free agents, to make predictions are so hypothetical."