NBA Rumors: Denver Nuggets Plan To Open Contract Talks This Summer With Kenneth Faried

Apr 2, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) reacts from the bench during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 137-107. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

According to Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post, the Denver Nuggets plan to keep power forward Kenneth Faried for the long-haul in the Mile High City. In the column from Dempsey, Denver plans to open the contract talks this summer with he and his agent Thad Foucher.

"“We’ll talk to his representation,” Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly told the Post. ” I think Kenneth is happy here. I think he’s really embraced what (Coach) Brian (Shaw) is trying to instill. Those are the type of guys that deserve to get paid.”"

Kenneth Faried looked as if he regressed in Brian Shaw‘s half-court offense during the first half of the season where everyone was still getting used to it. Manimal turned it on after the All-Star break, posting a team-high 18.8 points, 10.1 rebounds and the team was 17-10 when the forward recorded a double-double. Shaw expressed his opinion towards the end of the season whether he saw Faried in the Nuggets future plans.

"I definitely want to have him back and expect to have him back,” Shaw said."

Kenneth is entering the final-year of his rookie contract and is expected to get paid pretty well. Here is what Dempsey predicts as the price range for the improving forward.

"Add in his standing on the Nuggets roster – he’s the team’s second-best player – his exploding box office appeal and the price tag could fall in the $10-11 million per year range. He’ll be in search for more, no doubt."

Tim Connelly added on about the adjustment period for Shaw and Faried.

"“Kenneth was great,” Connelly said. “I think there was an adjustment period with Kenneth and Brian. And for the last couple of months he was playing at as high a level as anybody. He’s the heart and soul of our team. His consistent energy and toughness, I was really happy to see. I think he grew this year. I think he really improved on both ends, not just the offensive end. He’s a guy that’s going to play a huge role in our success moving forward."