Denver Nuggets chief backup playmaker Jameer Nelson is reportedly leaning on opting out of his almost $3 million contract with the team for the next season. There are currently two speculations on what he is planning to do upon free agency.

First, CBS Sports' Jason Butt hinted that the All-Star point guard desires to join a title-contending team at this late stage of his career. The 33-year-old Nelson might be thinking that there are not many years left for him to play and get a chance to win an NBA championship.

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He actually had already played in the Finals. It was in his fifth year in the league, during the 2009 postseason against eventual champions Los Angeles Lakers when he was the starting point guard of the Orlando Magic and the sidekick of Dwight Howard. The Magic lost that series, 4-1, and Nelson never again had the chance to come back to the championship round.

The 6-foot, 190-pound former St. Joseph's standout last playoffs stint was in 2012 when they lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round.

Second, Bleacher Report's Josh Martin reported that Nelson wants to opt out of his deal with the Nuggets and then sign a new multiyear contract with them afterward. He allegedly came with the decision upon learning that interim coach Melvin Hunt will be formalized as Denver's new head coach next season.

And with current starting playmaker Ty Lawson reportedly on the trading block, the Nuggets want a veteran starter at no. 1, and Nelson is their first option. Nelson and Hunt developed a close relationship during the later stages of the last regular season, and the coach apparently wants him to be his main guy at the point starting October.

Of course, these two ideas are just rumors as Nelson has yet to inform the Nuggets his final decision. What is certain, however, is that he is opting out of his current deal and will be testing the free agent waters this July, as per RealGM's Shams Charania.

Sure enough, the diminutive Nelson will have a lot of suitors again as he did last season. And if Denver really wants him to lead them in the 2015-2016, then the right price of a long-term offer would make him stay. 

TagsNBA 2015, NBA news, NBA News 2015, NBA rumors, NBA Rumors 2015, NBA Trade Rumors, NBA trade rumors 2015, Jameer Nelson