The Spurs will have some distinct needs once the free-agent period arrives.
The likely retirement of Antonio McDyess and Tim Duncan’s decline leaves a big hole for the Spurs inside for a big, strong rebounder.
Denver’s Nene is exactly that kind of player.
Nene told the Denver Post that he’s likely to opt out of the final year of his current contract that pays him about $12 million per year.
The Nuggets reportedly have offered him a three-year extension at about those numbers, but that apparently won’t be good enough to keep the rugged 28-year-old Brazilian 6-11, 265-pound forward/center, who averaged 14.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game and shot 61.5 percent from the field.
Nene feels he’s not appreciated by the Nuggets, who went 50-32 before they were eliminated in five games by Oklahoma City in the first round.
“I’ve been here for nine years,” Nene told the Post. “If that doesn’t work how you want it, you need to sit down and evaluate everything and see what you can do….
“If I play happy, if I enjoy the game, my game improves. I did my best for the team, for the city. I tried to do my best for the fans. But the (Nuggets) need to understand you need to see the return on the other side, or you need to look for it. You need to look for it sometimes. They don’t realize all of the sacrifices I made. When you don’t feel appreciated, it’s hard.”
It’s uncertain whether Spurs majority owner Peter Holt would authorize the big payment that Nene likely would command.
The Spurs would likely need for Duncan to exercise his early-termination option this summer and sign a longer-term deal for less money to give the Spurs the financial flexibility to even think about signing a player like Nene — or anybody else of his level for that matter.
But Nene might listen to the Spurs for a couple of reasons.
His talents would fit exactly what the Spurs need after their 61-win season.
He also would be coming to perhaps the NBA’s most welcoming team to international players. Nene potentially would be reuniting with his old friend, rookie Brazilian power forward Tiago Splitter.
It’s unsure if it would make him come to San Antonio for less money. He probably wouldn’t.
But Nene likely would at least listen to the Spurs if they showed any interest in him.
What about it Spurs Nation?
Is Nene the kind of player you would like to see playing for the Spurs next season?
