NBA Free Agents 2011: Nene Hilario Would Propel Warriors to Playoffs

"What's that? Ah...Playoffs? Don't talk about...playoffs?! You kidding me?! Playoffs?!"

That's right, Golden State Warriors fans...playoffs.

Warriors fans waited 13 years for a playoff appearance and have been waiting four years since then.

The acquisition of forward David Lee was supposed to be their saving grace last season, but the reality was they still didn't have a physical presence down low that could cause problems for opponents defensively.

But there may finally be some hope for Warriors fans, and I mean it this time.

The Warriors are one of six teams currently pursuing center Nene Hilario, one of the stars of the league.

According to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, Hilario wants out of Denver and six teams have come calling so far: the Warriors, New Jersey Nets, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets.

Hilario has reportedly been interested in joining either the Heat or the Mavericks for a while, but he would have to accept less money in a sign-and-trade given his current situation.

The Warriors, on other hand, could free up enough money to sign him for close to the max in the free-agent market if they used the amnesty clause on center Andris Biedrins and dropped him.

There hasn't been much talk of the Warriors using the amnesty clause on Biedrins thus far, but you can bet they would use it on him if it helped them land Hilario.

After showing some promise in 2007 and 2008, Biedrins has regressed the last two seasons, with his rebounding and shot-blocking taking a turn for the worse. Plus, he's never been the type of player who can stop the bigger players in the league.

Ultimately, this depends on what Hilario prefers, going to a sure-fire playoff contender or starting something new with the Warriors and likely receiving a lot more money.

The Warriors have always scored points in bunches, currently sporting explosive guards Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry, not to mention Lee and the improved Dorell Wright.

A physical presence down low is what this team has always needed, and Hilario would give it to them.