The Houston Rockets continue their efforts to trade for Denver Nuggets center Nene, but according to a new report from ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Nuggets are determined to sign the ninth-year player to a contract extension instead of trading him. The decision is a surprise, Stein says, because the sentiment around the league was that Denver would try to unload Nene once they traded Carmelo Anthony, which it managed to do last night.
But, according to Stein, “teams that have been calling for Nene […] are gradually being informed that a key element of the Nuggets’ post-Melo plan is trying to convince Nene to stay.” Thus, Houston will likely have to look elsewhere for help at center.
Nene can exercise the early termination option in his contract this summer in order to become a free agent, but can forego free-agency by signing a contract extension now. He leads the league in field-goal percentage, at 63.7 percent, and averages 15 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.