NBA Free Agents: Power Ranking Nene's Most Probable Destinations

One thing seems clear: When the NBA returns to action and Nene steps onto the court for the first time, it will not be in a Denver Nuggets' uniform. 

Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports quoted Nene as saying the following: 

"

I learned last season that this was a business [...] No matter how nice you are to people, no matter how nice people are to you, this is a business. I did my best for the team and they waited and waited to extend me. I was like, ‘Oh, OK, all these years playing good, doing your best and they still test you.’ That’s not about family, love and somebody liking you. It’s a business.

"

Anything can happen. The Nuggets do have money to spend, but that doesn't give me a lot of confidence that he'll be in Denver.

Luckily for Nene, there is plenty of room in the NBA for a big man that averaged nearly 15 points and eight rebounds a game. 

Ken Berger of CBSSports made up a list of six possible teams for Nene. So, without further adieu, let's take a look at how well the moves would work out.

Golden State

The Warriors are one of the more exciting teams in the NBA to watch. They run the floor and seem to fly over 100 points on a nightly basis.

What they don't do is defend well—at all. They also don't do a good job in the paint and getting rebounds and ugly points. As a result, their record isn't anywhere near as good as it should be year in and year out.

Nene would change that. He and David Lee would give the team a strong presence on the inside, and the running ability wouldn't be hindered. 

Grade for Nene: B

Grade for the Warriors: A-

New Jersey

This largely depends on whether or not Deron Williams stays in New Jersey. If he does, then the Nets would have a strong point guard and big man to build around. If not, then Nene would need to do too much on his own, and I don't like his chances.

So, I am going to grade this one down a little bit. The uncertainty is just too great.

Grade for Nene: C

Grade for the Nets: B-

Indiana

This applies to the Nets as well, but a team in the East that brings in a top free agent automatically becomes a factor. The Eastern Conference is stronger at the top than it has been in years past, but this conference lacks depth in a big way. 

With Nene in Indiana, it would be hard to imagine the Pacers not being a force in the playoffs. They would have talent around him, as well. So, if this move happens, don't discount them as a team to make a deep playoff run.

Grade for Nene: B+

Grade for the Pacers: A

Miami

I am not 100 percent sure that the Heat really need this move. Remember, they weren't far from winning it all last season. A trip to the finals for a brand new team is hardly a bad year.

Still, this would only make the rich richer. Nene would give the Heat an element of nastiness and inside presence that Chris Bosh just doesn't bring, not on his own.

With Dwyane Wade and LeBron James on the perimeter and Nene and Bosh on the inside, this team would be downright scary.

Grade for Nene: A

Grade for the Heat: A-

Dallas

Let's go right to the team that knocked off the Heat last year. This move looks good, but it would be short term. 

The Mavericks are an old team. Very little about their current makeup indicates that they'll be a factor for a long time. Nene wouldn't change that. 

But if this move happens, the defending champions would look strong to get back and least be in great position for a repeat. This would be a better move if either Nene or the Mavericks were a little younger, but I can't knock it too much.

Grade for Nene: B

Grade for the Mavericks: B

Houston

I like this move. I can't knock it too much, although I do wonder how much impact it would make. 

The Western Conference is loaded with talent. Still, it's an aging conference, so it's not as vaunted as it once was. Teams like the Rockets would do well to bring in a guy like Nene. Even if the run would be comparatively short, it would be a good one for them.

As for Nene, it's not bad. But he could make a big impact on a better team.

Grade for Nene: C+

Grade for the Rockets: A-