"When the NBA shut down hours before its annual free-agent flea market was set to open, it turned Nuggets center Nene into the first test case of its new world order.

Word circulated quickly within the association's agent community that the Brazilian big man had opted for free agency rather than accept a Nuggets offer of $50 million over four years.

The Nuggets, of course, had no comment. In fact, the Nuggets would neither confirm nor deny that Monday is the Fourth of July, so seriously are they taking commissioner David Stern's prohibition on public commentary during the lockout.

Like the league, the club has removed all references to active players from its website. Nuggets.com is now all about coach George Karl, his staff and, of course, the Nuggets dancers, each of whom has her own profile page. For example, Krista is afraid of spiders and mayonnaise, and Nicole can make her tongue into a cloverleaf.

But I digress.

By turning down an average of $12.5 million a year — his $11.6 million player option for next season, plus a three-year extension averaging nearly $13 million per — Nene gambled he'll be able to do better than that under the more restrictive salary rules likely to be in place when the lockout ends.

By declining to increase their offer, the Nuggets gambled he won't.

The club is taking the larger risk, only because they get no compensation if Nene leaves as a free agent. Reports out of the Bay Area suggest he will be Golden State's top free-agent priority, although the Warriors will have to shed salary to make a competitive offer under a new, harder salary cap."