David Stern indicated that he doesn't think Carmelo Anthony is doing anything improper by declining a contract extension with the Nuggets.

"Here we have a player who is keeping his options open," Stern said. "That's his right under the collective bargaining agreement, and I don't think it's fair to hold him to a higher standard."

Although Stern called "interesting" the idea of allowing teams special rights over one designated franchise player, the commissioner would not seek to apply that status to a would-be free agent like Anthony.

"I think players are entitled to get the benefit of what they bargained for ? free agency," he said.

Stern does not consider it at all destabilizing for the league when a marquee player exercises his right to become a free agent.

"Not in the least," he said.