Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen tweeted late Sunday that Nene and the Rockets will meet on Monday.

Rockets GM Daryl Morey and coach Kevin McHale to meet with Nene Monday, 2 persons w knowledge of meeting said. Nene is their top C target.

It’s highly unlikely that the Rockets will offer Nene the type of deal he wants. They don’t have the money to pay Nene the max and they are highly unlikely to offer him anything close to the max. And in order for Nene to get a five-year deal instead of a 4-year deal a sign-and-trade would have to be worked out with the Nuggets.

The Rockets do have some assets that may interest the Nuggets. Among them are young players like Patrick Patterson, Courtney Lee, Jordan Hill and Terrence Williams.

The New Jersey Nets are also expected to meet with Nene and could offer him the most money, which is the most likely situation in the Nene sweepstakes. The Indiana Pacers are also planning to talk to Nene.

The only real chance for Nene to return to Denver is if he is willing to sign a contract ranging around $10 million a season for five years. That fifth year is the only advantage the Nuggets have over the other teams, but they can also offer Nene a chance to play power forward, which is his natural position.  (more…)

According to Fox 26 Sports, based out of Houston, the Rockets contacted both Nene and their own free agent Chuck Hayes.

The Rockets are one of the teams that is in the Nene sweepstakes, but there is a lot pessimism out of Houston that the Rockets would land Nene – partly due to his asking price.

Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle suggested that while Nene is the Rockets’ Plan A, they aren’t going to overpay to sign him. In fact, in his words which are much more fun,

The Rockets won’t be packing up a caravan of face painters in an effort to impress Nene.

In fact, Feigen suggested that somebody (New Jersey Nets) would be willing to offer Nene the max ($70 million over four years). Lets hope it isn’t the Nuggets.

Hoopsworld’s Bill Ingram also suggested that Nene would stay in Denver, but Houston could offer a package of young players in a sign-and-trade that would intrigue the Nuggets. The Rockets, much like the Nuggets, have a number of young players of interest and this may be of more interest to Denver – which is on the verge of the rebuilding mode. (more…)