Rodney

White

White is facing a charge in Washington for allegedly carrying a gun without a license, but Vandeweghe said it could be plea bargained down to a misdemeanor today.

With Carmelo Anthony joining the Nuggets, White is smart to hope to improve at the two. He’ll probably get a chance to compete for a starting job next season.

The option would pay White $2.4 million. If the Nuggets re-signed him, they would still have about $20 million remaining for free agency next summer. GM Kiki Vandeweghe said he is impressed with White’s development. The team is hoping he will step up and claim the shooting guard job.

The Nuggets have until Friday to decide whether to pick up the $2.5 million option on White’s contract for 2004-05. If not, he will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

That means only White and Eddie Griffin did not have their options picked up among the top 14 picks in 2001. Denver could be interested in bringing White back for less money next season.

That wobbly sound you hear are the wheels falling off in Denver.

Vandeweghe said no deal is close, and it remains unlikely the Nuggets will make a trade by next Thursday’s deadline.

White has also shot 51 percent in those games. This is a player who was talented enough to be a Top 10 draft pick in 2001. Now that his head is coming around, he’s worth picking up.

The Kings and Knicks are also looking at White, who has been a disappointment since being drafted ninth overall three years ago.

White is also thinking about re-signing with Denver, but he’s more concerned about minutes than money at this point. “I just really want an opportunity,” White said. “I played 13 minutes a game last year. I would like to play some more minutes.”