Pack, a veteran reserve with several NBA teams over the years, will be a free agent this summer and Denver apparently would like to retain him as its backup for Nick Van Exel. Pack, after all, ignited the team with some increased minutes in March, scoring at least 15 points in six games and passing for at least 10 assists in five.

In a recent three-game stretch, the 10-year guard averaged 18.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 39 minutes.

But like so many NBA decisions, money is going to play a factor in Pack's future. A major factor.

Pack is wrapping up a multi-year deal that paid him $4.3 million this season, so he will be looking for something close to that -- or more -- in the offseason. With the mid-level salary-cap exception, expected to be about $4.5 million, almost every team in the league becomes a potential market for Pack's services.

But the Nuggets might not want to commit that much to him, which creates the quandary.

"Guys don't like to take paycuts, and Robert's making a hefty sum this year,'' coach and general manager Dan Issel told Denver reporters. "I certainly would like to have Robert back. I think Robert is just now playing like I thought Robert could play.''

Pack, in his second stint with the Nuggets, said he would wait until the offseason to make his business decisions. But a paycut doesn't seem like an option, if that's what Issel or the Nuggets have in mind.

"That's not something right now I'm considering,'' Pack said. "I'm looking forward to just waiting until the season is over and seeing what my options are.''

The direction of negotiations might be easier to read if only Pack had been used more effectively earlier in the year. That didn't happen, something Issel said he regretted. Instead, both sides are working off limited data.

"It took a little longer, but better late than never,'' Pack said. "If I am back here next year, at least the guys know how I play and we'll get off to a better start.''

Van Exel is in his backup's corner on this one.

"He's been playing great, man,'' the point guard said. "He has been playing like a starter. We need a guy that can come in and you not really lose anything. I would like him to come back next year. I know he can help. He's a proven player. He definitely helps.''

Pack said that he didn't want to be kept on a backburner while the Nuggets sort through their personnel moves. He is looking for a commitment up front.

"I have a family, and I want to know what my situation is going to be so I can have some stability,'' the guard said. "If they want me, they'll step up and make the commitment.''

Personnel File

WALKING WOUNDED: With Van Exel (various ailments), forward Antonio McDyess (knee) and guard/forward Calbert Cheaney (hand) all banged up, the team was facing its game at Houston with perhaps nine healthy bodies.

Said Issel: "The longer we go without them, the better chance there is that they won't play the rest of the year.''

ON AT OFF-GUARD: The Nuggets again have gotten good production out of guard James Posey since using him heavily at shooting guard. With 22 points and 11 rebounds against Vancouver last Saturday, Posey got his fourth double-double in seven games.

"He's been playing extremely well since he started playing two guard for us,'' Issel said. "We're going to have to look at [that next season], that's for sure.''

TIME TO HEAL: Denver center Raef LaFrentz sat out the end of the victory over Vancouver. His left wrist continues to bother him.

Noteworthy

ONE THAT GOT AWAY: The results that San Antonio has gotten with Derek Anderson at shooting guard is no surprise to the Nuggets. They were interested in signing the former Clippers guard last summer as a free agent. Even Anderson admitted that the fit would have been good.

"The way the Nuggets play -- up and down -- that's my style,'' he said. "Nick running the floor, me filling the lane and Dice finishing. It'd be a great situation.''

But Denver's attempt to cut a sign-and-trade deal with the Clippers fell through. Anderson, wrapping up a one-year contract with the Spurs, said he would listen to the Nuggets again if the offer were right.

STRIVE FOR .500: Seems unlikely to happen, but Issel would like the Nuggets to strive for a .500 finish this season.

"Until we mathematically can't be .500, that's what our goal is,'' he said.

Not everyone was convinced of the significance of that goal, however.

"You're not in the playoffs. ... .500 is really not saying much to me or most of the players in here,'' Van Exel said.

CHOICES, CHOICES: Of the glut of current or potential shooting guards the Nuggets have, Denver VP of basketball operations Denny McGowan told reporters:

"Unless we make some changes, we are going to have some of the same issues at the position. I think, certainly, we have some strong options in that category.''

LUKE TO THE RESCUE? Assistant coach John Lucas said he would be willing to help Portland's Shawn Kemp deal with his latest struggle against substance dependency.

"He has to go through the NBA's drug program first, then, if there's any way I can reach out and help, I'll be glad to do it,'' said Lucas, renowned for his personal recovery from addictions and work with NBA players. "I know Shawn. He can do this. Hopefully, he'll call.''

DUNCAN HAS ISSEL'S VOTE: Here's Issel on San Antonio forward Tim Duncan as an MVP candidate, after Duncan got 36 points in the Spurs' easy victory over Denver:

"I'd vote for him. We had no answer for him. When we didn't double him, he scored. When we did double him, they made great decisions getting it to the open perimeter people.''

QUICK STUFF: The Nuggets swept the Grizzlies for the first time. They won their final six games against Vancouver.

QUOTEWORTHY: "I probably shouldn't have played, but I am kind of stubborn.'' -- Van Exel after struggling -- with injuries and with his shot -- in the Nuggets' game against San Antonio.