With the “background noise” silenced, injured Nuggets forward-center Nene is focused on returning to action – possibly this season.
Nene often was mentioned in trade rumors before the NBA deadline Thursday. Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said the franchise “never had any intention” of trading Nene. But through all the talk, the 2003 all-rookie team selection said he was unfazed.
“I actually don’t read the U.S. papers, so I was not really affected,” said Nene, who is from Brazil. “It was more like background noise to my day-to-day work.”
Nene is expected to receive interest during free agency. If a team signs him to an offer sheet, the Nuggets would have 15 days to match. The 6-foot-11, 268-pounder said he expects to return to Denver because he has received a strong vibe from Vandeweghe.
“Kiki has always expressed that I am in his long-term plans for the team, and I take him at his word,” Nene said. “I like Denver and love the fans and, as I am a (restricted free agent), they have the right to match. It is really up to the Nuggets whether I stay or go, not up to me. If you are asking what my interest is in free agency, I don’t have the luxury to look that far ahead right now. Once I am 100 percent, I can worry about other things.”
Nene suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during the season opener, but hopes to return this season. He is expected to begin practicing in April.
“I will work as hard as I can to come back as quickly as possible,” Nene said. “If the timing works out that I can practice or play, that is great. I want to get back to playing as soon as possible and get this setback behind me.
“I am told I am ahead of schedule. I have regained my muscle mass and am starting to work on my movements. The knee feels strong. I am told I will be 100 percent in the next few months.”
Said Vandeweghe: “He’s looking awful good, and he’s in great shape. The knee is really healing well. The doctors are excited.”
Anthony hoping for better
USA Basketball is expected to name its players invited to training camp soon, and Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony is expected to be in the group.
Anthony is hoping this experience will be better than when he was part of the Americans’ bronze medal-winning Olympic team in Athens in 2004.
“If I get another chance, it’ll feel great,” Anthony said. “It’ll be an honor to go out there and put away two summers ago, start off fresh, me and the guys who were out there at the other Olympics.”
Footnotes
Denver’s Kenyon Martin played Monday despite a migraine. … Eduardo Najera (knee surgery Feb. 13) is not sure he will play Wednesday against Detroit. … Greg Buckner missed his second consecutive game (hyperextended knee) and said it may take awhile to return.
Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com.
