As of 10 o’clock on Tuesday night, the Nuggets — along with every other team in the NBA — are free to negotiate with free agents.

But given that the Nuggets are over the NBA’s salary cap, don’t expect a lot of movement this summer unless the team carves out salary-cap space through trades. And the deals they do want to get done may take a bit of time.

Free agents can sign contracts they agree to starting July 9.

Topping the Nuggets’ to-do list is re-signing guards Jameer Nelson and Will Barton. Both played a huge role in stabilizing things on and off the court for a Nuggets team going through a turbulent season until early March, when coach Brian Shaw was fired.

Nelson’s situation is the most complicated.

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His own words at the end of the Nuggets’ season explain why: “Whatever I decide, I’ll definitely discuss with that team what my role would be,” said Nelson after the last game of the regular season. “I feel like I’m definitely more than a 15- or 18-minute guy, for sure.”

Nelson, 33, opted out of the last year of his contract, and the Nuggets want him back for his play on the court and his professionalism. . His daily example would be huge as the team grooms its 19-year old point guard Emmanuel Mudiay.

According to those close to the situation, the Nuggets are a strong contender to retain his services. But for a player looking for a meaningful role, Nelson might have doubts. , The Nuggets are carrying multiple point guards — one guard under contract in Ty Lawson; Mudiay, the first-round draft pick who soon will be signed; and one on an unguaranteed contract, Erick Green.

As of right now, there’s not a lot of playing time left to sell to Nelson, unless Lawson is traded. Then there is the matter of what the Nuggets can offer Nelson. Nelson’s last contract, signed last summer with the Mavericks, was a two-year deal for $6 million with the player option he exercised. In all likelihood, a new contract starts with at least those terms.

As for Barton, the expectation is that the Nuggets will retain him.

Barton, brought over in the trade that sent Arron Afflalo to the Nuggets at the trade deadline in February, flourished in his two months with the team. Because he is a restricted free agent, the Nuggets can match any reasonable offer Barton receives on the open market.

On the other hand, forward Darrell Arthur is an unrestricted free agent. He played out the last year of his contract last season. The Nuggets would like to retain Arthur, one of the team’s best defensive players, but expected competition from a host of teams, including the Detroit Pistons, to sign Arthur.

Christopher Dempsey: cdempsey@denverpost.com or twitter.com/dempseypost