According to Chris Thomasson, the Nuggets are “deep into discussions” with Nene’s agent, Dan Fegan, and are “optimistic” that they will be able to get an extension done by June 30th.
Nene is owed 11.8 million dollars by the Nuggets next season, but can opt out of that contract if he so chooses, and would have multiple suitors. Nene also has the option to sign an extension through the 2014-15 season, which the Nuggets would clearly prefer.
Nene has quietly become one of the league’s best offensive centers and most underrated players. He scored 14.5 points last season with an astronomical True Shooting percentage of 65.7%, which is a nearly unheard of combination of scoring volume and efficiency. And considering how well the Nuggets played defense after they traded away Carmelo Anthony, Nene can clearly hold his own on both ends of the floor.
Nene is a great player who the Nuggets should absolutely be going all-out in trying to keep, and it appears as though they are doing exactly that.