J.R. Rider, a Laker washout after one season, is negotiating with the Denver Nuggets, among one or two other teams, for a 2001-02 contract.

Nugget General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe said Tuesday that he would consider signing Rider, a natural scorer with chronic behavioral issues.

"J.R. is a fantastic player and a good athlete with unquestionable scoring ability," Vandeweghe told the Denver Post. "Anytime you have someone with such physical talents, you have to look at that." The Miami Heat might also be interested, but the Nuggets appear most interested.