The deal came just hours after the Nuggets traded for Corey Brewer and Rudy Fernandez, and sources say the Nuggets are close to a deal with Arron Afflalo.

The deal for Nene was more money than the Nuggets wanted to offer, but when they fell short of adding younger, cheaper players like Thaddeus Young and Luc Mbah a Moute, Denver decided to r-esign their longest tenured player.  (more…)

And doing so, they may lose a pair of key clogs from last season, as Nene and Gary Forbes are rumored to both be heading elsewhere.

The New Jersey Nets are reportedly offering Nene a max deal around $65 million for 4 years and Forbes has signed a 2-year offer sheet with the Toronto Raptors, with an option for a third.

Six hours has passed and it isn’t official if Nene has agreed to a deal yet, but according to sources the Nets and Nene are close. The Nuggets aren’t likely to match a max deal and there is a very slim chance Nene signs for less with the Nuggets.

The hold up could be the Nets and the Nuggets working out a sign and trade or the Nets holding off a deal with Nene to continue their pursuit for Dwight Howard. But remember it isn’t over until the fat lady sings.

With Forbes, no doubt the Nuggets wanted to keep him, but they aren’t likely to overpay to keep him. Forbes, much like Joey Graham before, was a nice energy player for the Nuggets to have but not one they are willing to offer a multi-year deal to.

The Nuggets have also lost out on Thaddeus Young, but there isn’t any official word on the process they have made with Arron Afflalo or Milwaukee Bucks’ restricted free agent Luc Mbah a Moute.

However, the Nuggets did bring in rookie free agent Julyan Stone. Stone can play both point guard and shooting guard and is extremely athletic and unselfish. He was signed to a two-year deal worth $1.1 million.

The Nuggets also locked up both their rookies, Kenneth Faried and Jordan Hamilton.