Rockets Re-Sign Veteran Center Nene
By Karl Rasmussen
The Houston Rockets made perhaps the boldest move of the NBA offseason, dealing Chris Paul and draft picks to Oklahoma City in order to land former MVP Russell Westbrook.
Well, while Westbrook and James Harden will be dominating possession for most of the time, the Rockets are trying to lock up other members of the squad. On Friday, GM Daryl Morey announced that the team re-signed veteran center Nene.
OFFICIAL: Rockets GM Daryl Morey today announced that the team has re-signed center @NeneHilario42.
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) September 6, 2019
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Nene will be returning for his 19th NBA season, and his fourth in Houston. The 36-year-old was drafted by the Knicks back in 2002, though he was shipped to the Nuggets where he would spend 10 seasons.
Since joining the Rockets in 2016, Nene has averaged 6.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.8 assists. He's shot an excellent 58.6% from the field while logging 15.5 minutes of run per night.
The Houston Rockets moves to convert William McDowell-White and Shamorie Ponds to two-way spots this week seems to have been done to clear roster spots for a couple of veteran players. Rumors are that those veterans will be Nene (re-signed) and Corey Brewer (signed as a FA).
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) September 5, 2019
After fizzling out in the playoffs last year, the Rockets are hoping that the addition of Westbrook can push them over the top in the West.
Having capable veterans like Nene, who are familiar with the system and comfortable with playing in a bench role, will be essential for this team as it tries to discover its new identity.