Free-agent point guard Andre Miller has decided to sign an offer sheet from the Denver Nuggets, the Denver Post reported Sunday.

	Miller

The Nuggets' offer is expected to be in the six-year, $55 million range, the Post, citing NBA sources, reported. As Miller is a restricted free agent, however, the Los Angeles Clippers will have 15 days from when Miller signs the offer sheet (likely Wednesday, the first day free agents can sign) to decide whether they want to match it and keep Miller.

Miller visited both the Nuggets and the Utah Jazz last week but came away encouraged about Denver's future, with young talent like center Nene Hilario and small forward Carmelo Anthony providing a solid core. Anthony seemed as excited as Miller at the thought of the point guard signing with the Nuggets.

Unsigned Carmelo itching to play

Nuggets rookie Carmelo Anthony, the third overall selection in the 2003 draft, can't wait to hit the court for Denver's summer league team in Long Beach. As Anthony is without a contract after agreeing to wait until after the Nuggets sign their free agents, however, Anthony's agent, Calvin Andrews, is forcing him to sit out. "I told (Andrews) that I was playing (Sunday in the summer league opener), and he cut me off like, 'No, you're not playing,' " Anthony said to the Denver Post. "He told me, 'Just wait until Utah.' But I might get a chance to play the last (Long Beach) game (Thursday against the Los Angeles Clippers). There is nothing I can do." Anthony's waiting has freed up an extra $538,200 for Denver to offer free agents. He took part in all of the Nuggets' summer-league practices without restrictions, but his agent will not allow him to play in a game without a contract in place. "He will not play until he signs," Andrews told the Post. "He will basically have a fistfight before he plays. If he beats me up, he can play. But other than that, he isn't playing until he signs." -- ESPN.com news services

"[Miller is] a great piece," Anthony told the Post. "He's a true point guard who can get the ball to guys in the game. I'd love to play with him."

Since Denver traded Nick Van Exel to the Dallas Mavericks in February 2002, the Nuggets have tried eight players at point guard -- with little success. Denver is hoping Miller can return to the form he showed in his years in Cleveland and bring stability back to the position. In 2001-02, Miller's final season in Cleveland, he averaged 16.5 points and a league-leading 10.9 assists a game on a poor-shooting team. He averaged just 13.6 points and 6.7 assists a game last season with the Clippers.

"Our primary concern is our backcourt, but point guard is key to any team," Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe told the Post.

While the Nuggets now must wait for the Clippers to decide on Miller, the chances Los Angeles will match Denver's offer seem small. The Clippers have shown interest in Golden State free agent point guard Gilbert Arenas, and already have two other point guards on the roster -- Marko Jaric and Keyon Dooling.

The historically tight-fisted Clippers also have three other restricted free agents -- shooting guard Corey Maggette, forward Lamar Odom and forward-center Elton Brand -- in addition to a number of unrestricted free agents headlined by center Michael Olowokandi.

The Nuggets are expected to visit with Olowokandi on Sunday or Monday, while the Clippers are scheduled to meet with him Tuesday, the Post reported.