Nets Hot For Nene

The New Jersey Nets definitely are not sitting on the sidelines this offseason, as they are proving to be the most aggressive team.

The Nets started the offseason by making it known that they are interested in Orlando’s Dwight Howard, while also courting two of the top free agents on the market Dallas’ Tyson Chandler and Denver Nuggets big man Nene.

Chandler has already shown mutual interest in the Nets, but they have made Nene their top priority and reports out of New Jersey is saying that the Nets have a ‘pretty strong’ chance of landing him.

The Nets do have the cap room (around $19 million) to offer Nene the max and could team him up with center Brook Lopez (if they don’t trade for Howard). New Jersey also has former Nuggets’ center Johan Petro, who told reporters the other day that Nene would help the Nets frontcourt, which was considered ‘soft’ last season. 

"Nene’s a strong big, that, I think, was a concern going through last year. I think everyone knew we were a little soft down in the post. He could help any team, actually, with his talent and the size that he is."

Really, the only chance that the Nets don’t throw money at Nene is if they decided to get Chandler instead. And while the Nuggets do want Nene back, they aren’t willing to pay top dollar to keep him.

The Pacers are also reportedly high on Nene, but have made Marc Gasol as their top priority. They also have shown interest in Jamal Crawford and David West.

LAKERS, BULLS TRYING TO GET AFFLALO VIA SIGN AND TRADE

According to Marc Stein, who just recently has joined the love affair for Arron Afflalo has reported that both the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers are seeing if the Nuggets would do a sign and trade for Afflalo.

It isn’t likely, since Afflalo is arguably Denver’s leader and top importance this offseason, but between the two the Bulls have more to offer and is a much better situation for Afflalo.

The best assets the Bulls could offer are:

• Draft picks: they have their own picks, as well as a Charlotte Bobcats draft pick that is protected through 2016
• Ronnie Brewer, who is a good role player and potentially a lockdown defender.
• Taj Gibson, who could negate the losing of Nene

The best assets the Lakers have to offer, is…a hug? They don’t have any young assets, unless Derrick Caracter has developed.

Both the Nets and the Minnesota Timberwolves have also shown interest in Afflalo and could throw a good deal his way. Afflalo’s former college teammate Kevin Love plays for Minnesota.

NUGGETS SHOWING INTEREST IN JOSH HOWARD

Howard has become a forgotten player over the years, especially after he was dealt from Dallas due to his attitude. Since then, Howard has been mediocre at best.

He is coming off of a season in which he missed 61 games and averaged a career-worst 8.4 points for the Washington Wizards.

But that isn’t stopping suitors from pursuing him. The Nuggets, along with Chicago, Washington, Boston, New Jersey, New Orleans, San Antonio and Atlanta have all contacted Howard.

On a good day, Howard is an adequate scorer, great rebounder and good defender. But his flaky attitude sometimes rubs coaches the wrong way.

On the Nuggets, he’d be their top backup at small forward.

NUGGETS, SUN TO PLAY 2-GAME PRESEASON SET

The Phoenix Suns and Nuggets will play a two-game, home-and-home preseason series, which will begin at the Pepsi Center Dec. 20 and then two nights later will be played at the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix.

CARTER COMING BACK TO DENVER

Anthony Carter was working out with Chris Andersen on Friday and told Aaron Lopez that he’d be interested in coming back to Denver.

The Nuggets do need a third point guard, but Carter wasn’t exactly a fan favorite.