NBA Free Agents 2011: Big Men Market Shallow After Nuggets Re-Sign Nene

With Nene agreeing to terms with the Denver Nuggets today, the already-thin market for big men became even thinner, and many teams still are in need of a starting-caliber center. 

The list of quality big men now is reduced to Samuel Dalembert, Carl Landry and Kris Humphries. After that, the pickens get thin with the likes of Eric Dampier as the best available. 

For teams like the Nets and the Rockets, who have been trying to land a big man but getting thwarted at every turn, the frustration has to be growing.

The Nets are reportedly in advanced negotiations for Dwight Howard. Should they land him, then presumably Dalembert would go to Houston. 

The Rockets were in pursuit of Nene and had extended a maximum offer to Marc Gasol. They also failed to land Marc's big brother Pau in the three-team trade which was blocked by David Stern. Needless to say, this has to be a frustrating experience for the Rockets and their fans.

While the Nets have been trying to upgrade their middle situation, they can always re-sign Humphries and keep him paired with center Brook Lopez, which is a solid enough pairing. 

Houston, on the other hand, is in dire need of a center after seeing Yao Ming retire and then last year's starter Chuck Hayes signed with Sacramento. 

If the Rockets fail on the Dalembert front too, it would be a bitter offseason for the franchise.