The Nuggets will enter the 2008-09 season with a payroll of roughly $77 million thanks to the large contracts of Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, and Kenyon Martin, according to Rocky Mountain News.

At the start of the offseason it appeared as though Denver might have a payroll of $86 million, but trading Marcus Camby to the Clippers allowed them to reduce that number slightly.

They will have to pay $6.3 million in luxury tax because they are over the $71.15 million threshold and could look to further reduce their payroll this season.

Iverson, who will be paid $20.84 million, will be a free agent next summer. That means the Nuggets could deal Iverson at the deadline, sign-and-trade him next summer, or simply allow him to walk away next offseason.

Via Rocky Mountain News

Denver Nuggets

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