NBA Trade Rumors: Warriors Showing Interest in Nene Hilario

Another day, more trade rumors... With the NBA trade deadline about 2 weeks away (Feb. 24th) you can expect to hear a ton of names thrown around in all types of crazy trade rumors, some more valid than others. Today we have an interesting one involving the Golden State Warriors being interested in acquiring Nene from the Nuggets, according to this report from the Mercury News. Here's some info regarding the rumor:

According to multiple sources, the Warriors have inquired about Nene, a 6-foot-11, 250-pound center from Brazil. But the Nuggets would have to agree to trade him, and Nene would have to agree to a contract extension because he is a pending free agent.

"We have to look at what we have," Warriors coach Keith Smart said. "We can't wish and hope for something we don't have."

Nene, who is averaging 15.3 points per game on an NBA-best 64.4 percent shooting, would seem to quench the Warriors' thirst for inside scoring.

There are a few observations I can derive from this trade rumor. 1.) The Nuggets will be involved in more trade scenarios than any team in recent memory. The team is aging and hasn't gotten much better over the years and you have the Carmelo Anthony situation brewing. 2.) With some of their better players approaching free agency the Nuggets need to find out what kind of return they can get for those players instead of running the rick of losing them with nothing to show for it.

This particular trade scenario would definitely benefit the Warriors who could use a reliable scorer who can finish effectively in the paint (evident by his league-leading 64% field goal percentage). Andris Biedrins can't cut it and David Lee is more of a pick & roll/pop type of big forward. The Warrior have some youth in their front court with Ekpe Udoh and Brandan Wright but they need time to develop. So it's a matter of what Golden State would need to give up for Nene, and I don't think he's worth brokering your future for. The Warriors already have a decent young core group on the perimeter with Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis, Dorell Wright and Reggie Williams. I think their biggest area of need is an experienced head coach instead of a trade.

We can go ahead and file this one in the "unlikely rumor" category, along with those crazy Carmelo to the Lakers rumors that set the internet abuzz yesterday.

-ALR