DENVER -- Imagine what the reaction would be if a woman from South Dakota was a finalist in the Miss America beauty pageant. Well, a similar raising of eyebrows occurred last week when the Denver Nuggets landed on Jason Kidd's short list of prospective suitors for free agency. NBA powers like San Antonio, Dallas and New Jersey were on the list, too. But Denver?

Yes, Denver. The Nuggets won just 17 games last season and haven't been to the playoffs since 1995. But due to numerous changes within the organization, two young superstars and lots of money, the Nuggets could be a player in this year's free agent market, as players seem to be interested.

"The Denver Nuggets are an organization on the rise because there are a lot of moves they can make," Clippers restricted free agent forward Lamar Odom said. "A lot of teams can't make these moves, but they want to make their teams better. I know (the Nuggets) are going to make their team better."

	In two years as Nuggets GM, Kiki Vandeweghe has made big changes, including free agents' opinions of Denver.

It wasn't long ago that Denver was arguably the last destination on free agents' lists when it came to basketball.

There was a player's boycott from practice in December of 2000. In December of 2001, Nuggets coach Dan Issel resigned after making a racially insensitive remark toward a fan and guard Nick Van Exel made it public that he asked to be traded because he was tired of losing. And just last season, the Nuggets were offensively offensive as they scored just three points in one quarter, 53 in a game and struggled to average 84.2 points.

But since the arrival of Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe in 2001, the laughed-at franchise that joined the Clippers, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Detroit Tigers and Homer Simpson as comedy relief has steadily changed.

Vandeweghe got rid of the players with the huge contracts and the ones who didn't want to be in Denver. Now, the Nuggets have $18 million available in free agency this summer. Jeff Bzdelik, hired as coach in August of 2002, has brought a strong work ethic and instilled a dedication to play hard and a never-say-die attitude that hadn't been seen in Denver in years. The Nuggets have renovated their Pepsi Center facilities that just opened in 1999 and now have a new and larger player's lounge with video games, a pool table and a big-screen television. They also have a full-time masseuse, new theatre, nap room, new and larger weight room and meals after every practice and games. The team also recently hired a guy who takes care of concierge services for the players. And last and definitely not least, they also added two players that have bright futures ahead of them in 2003 NBA all-rookie forward-center Nene (Yes, the Brazilian lost the last name "Hilario" and just goes by "Nene" now) and rookie forward Carmelo Anthony.

"It's not only because of the money that they have. It's about where the organization is going," Odom said. "When we went to play the Nuggets (last season), I saw the coaches working out players hard. And this was before the game. So I know what direction they want to go. They want to make their team better. They want to win. I think that's the big difference. If you're a free agent, you can see that and decipher that. And as a free agent, you think you can help their organization because they want to help themselves."

While Odom was impressed by the Nuggets' work ethic, Warriors guard Gilbert Arenas, a restricted free agent, sees Anthony as a drawing card. The Nuggets acquired Anthony with the third pick in last Thursday's draft and the 2003 Final Four's Most Outstanding Player is regarded as the most heralded rookie to come to the Rocky Mountains since David Thompson arrived in 1975.

"I spoke to (Arenas) about Carmelo Anthony when they selected him. And of the players that were available in the draft, (Anthony's) the guy that he wanted to play with the most," said Dan Fegan, Arenas' agent. "He felt that Carmelo, by proving it in college, was ahead of the game of a high school player (LeBron James). He was very excited that Denver drafted Carmelo. At the end of the day, it's Denver's job to show Gilbert where they are going, how they are going to get there and make the commitment financially."

The Nuggets' wish list includes Kidd, Odom, Nuggets forward Juwan Howard, Clippers center Michael Olowokandi, Clippers restricted free agent guard Andre Miller, Clippers restricted free agent forward Corey Maggette, Arenas, Hornets forward-center P.J. Brown, Spurs point guard Speedy Claxton, Wizards guard Tyronn Lue and Heat center Alonzo Mourning.

The Nuggets are most interested in signing a point guard, shooting guard and/or center. With another fine free agency crop in 2004 in mind, they will likely only sign two major free agents unless they can be really creative.

"Whether we get any great players this year or not, for them to consider Denver a place to be is great," Vandeweghe said. "We've come a long way in two years. Denver is really trending up. It's a great city to live in. We have great fans. I played here when you couldn't get a seat, so I know how it can be."

	“	(Free agents) want to go somewhere they feel they are going to be competitive and there is a willingness to win. I don't think (the Nuggets) are quite there yet, but I think they're heading in that direction. ”
		— Bill Duffy

There have been a lot of rumors that Howard's days in Denver are likely over. The Lakers, Magic, Bulls, Sonics and Pistons are expected to have interest in the Nuggets' leading scorer, rebounder and free-throw shooter last season. Howard can easily run from Denver and never come back again, but despite the losing he endured during his 1½ seasons in a Nuggets uniform, he hasn't turned his back on the organization.

"Denver is a possibility," Howard said. "I never once ruled Denver out from the day that I knew I'd be a free agent this summer. I've always admired the organization. They're a first-class organization.

"They've always treated me with respect and supported me. I want to give the same to them in return."

Even with all the positive things being said about Denver, there will be some apprehension for free agents toward the Nuggets because of their past.

The woeful records and drama cannot be erased. With that in mind, the Nuggets have to try to get a commitment from a marquee free agent early. That first leap of faith would aid the second. And with a mammoth wad of money, Melo, Nene and all the other intangibles in mind, it's possible that some solid free agent could say as oddly as it may sound:

"Sign me up. I want to be a Nugget."

"It's not enough just to have money," said agent Bill Duffy, who represents Anthony, Olowokandi and Claxton. "(Free agents) want to go somewhere they feel they are going to be competitive and there is a willingness to win. I don't think (the Nuggets) are quite there yet, but I think they're heading in that direction."

Marc J. Spears, who covers the NBA and Denver Nuggets for the Denver Post, is a regular contributor to ESPN.com.