This weekend the Denver Nuggets were looking to roll out the red carpet for the new era of Nuggets basketball. Their first task was to lock up All Star Camelo Anthony. The Nuggets sure had their issues last season, but everyone seems to feel like those were just growing pains. It took the Nuggets just 12 hours into the NBA free agency season to work out a maximum deal with their star.

Camelo Anthony and the Nuggets agreed to the maximum contract extension allowed under NBA rules. The deal will keep Carmelo Anthony in a Nuggets uniform for five more years—at a cost of $80 million. The signing is just another sign that Anthony is not giving up on the Nuggets. Anthony averaged 26.5 points per season and he’s the star we all figured he would be. Next season he should be even better.

The Denver Nuggets are going to be a team to watch in the West next season. This deal also sets the bar for Dwayne Wade and LeBron James, who are both going to sign deals this off-season. Their respective teams will need to pony up maximum contracts now.