NBA Rumors: Nene Hilario Would Be Perfect Solution for New Jersey Nets

The New Jersey Nets are trying everything in their power to make a splash this offseason.

They need an impact player or two in order to compete in the Eastern Conference and make sure fans flock to their new arena, so it makes perfect sense that they would be pushing for Nene Hilario, one of the best big men on the market.

According to Fred Kerber of the New York Post, the Nets have been hot in their pursuit of Nene and will likely have the resources necessary to make a deal happen if he wants to play for them. 

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"The Nets, league sources maintain, have been among the most aggressive suitors for Nene.

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"The plan is to fill a power spot, then look for a starting three. The Nets could renounce Kris Humphries (and still re-sign him) to pick up $6 million in cap space, or amnesty Travis Outlaw to get $7 million. Guard Jamal Crawford reportedly will speak with the Nets today.

"(Dwight) Howard would need to be acquired via trade, and the Nets won’t sit around on that scenario, so they are trying to work out a way to land Nene, who would likely command near max, if not max, money.

"The Nets must land quality talent to appease Deron Williams and to have something positive heading into Brooklyn next year."

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The Nets have to do something this offseason in order to prove to Williams and any other potential free agent next season that they are serious about becoming major players in the NBA. 

The Dwight Howard trade is nothing more than a dream, at least right now, and the Nets can't afford to wait around hoping that Orlando decides to do something with him. By the time that happens, this season will be lost, and they will have no hope of luring anyone to the city. 

The Nets have good pieces to play alongside Williams right now, with Brook Lopez being the best of the bunch, but they still need more. 

Nene has a presence on the inside that Lopez lacks. He is powerful and attacks the hoop, so he would make the perfect complementary piece to Williams on the outside. 

It is likely going to take an over-market deal to land Nene because the players are running the system right now, but if the Nets want to make something happen, that is a risk they will have to take.