NBA Rumors: Wizards open to trading Nene?
By Josh Hill
The Washington Wizards made another deep run in the postseason last year, but changes to the roster might be on the horizon when it comes to Nene’s future.
Next: Moves Cavaliers Must Make So LeBron Re-Signs
The Washington Wizards improved again this past season thanks in large part to the leadership of John Wall and the further development of Bradley Beal. Still, the team didn’t make it to the Conference Finals and are once again assessing what needs to change over the course of the summer before embarking on another run.
One of those changes could be trading away Nene.
According to CSN Washington’s J. Michael, the Wizards have shopped Nene around but haven’t heard any offers that make them want to pull the trigger on a trade.
"The Wizards, CSNwashington.com has confirmed through two persons with knowledge of the situation, aren’t expected to move him during the offseason because there isn’t serious interest in the 13-year power forward who averaged 11 points and 5.1 rebounds. If Nene is eventually moved, it’ll likely occur closer to the trade deadline in February when most of his salary has been picked up by his current team and maybe a contender in need of a big man on an expiring deal could come calling."
This doesn’t mean that the Wizards are going to move Nene, but they’re still shopping him regardless. It could be nothing more than due diligence on the part of Washington, something that seems suggested by the fact that they’re not eager to trade him away.
He was a trade candidate last year, and those rumors didn’t materialize as the deadline approached. But the older a player gets and bigger his contract is, the more eager a team is to trade that guy away. Washington isn’t in a rush to dump Nene but he’s a player to watch as moves begin to be made.