A nine-month journey from absolute pain to absolute bliss could not keep moisture from creeping into Nene’s eyes Thursday as he discussed the six-year, $60 million deal he signed to stay with the Nuggets.
“Those were bad times,” he said of the long months of rehab after blowing out his right knee on opening night last season, “but I feel victory now.”
The 6-foot-11 Brazilian forward repeatedly thanked God, as well as Nuggets supporters and owner Stan Kroenke, for allowing him this day after the doubts the injury created.
“I want to be like Malone, for a long time on one team,” said the forward, referring to future Hall of Famer Karl Malone.
Denver director of player personnel Mark Warkentien jumped in to add, “We want you to be like Malone, also.”
The move does not come without risk. Nene admitted he is at most 80 percent recovered, and Warkentien could not guarantee Nene would be fully healthy by next season’s start. Some outside the team also have questioned such a large deal for a recently injured player with career averages of 10.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
But Warkentien said several other teams tried to work out a sign-and-trade deal with Denver after hearing the final terms, which he said suggested the Nuggets are paying fair market value. He also said that after studying 21 similar injuries in the NBA over the previous eight to 10 years, the team found only two players returned with substantially diminished skills.
With the Nuggets declining to match San Antonio’s offer sheet to center Francisco Elson on Thursday, Nene has yet another reason to stay healthy and play well.
“It’s automatic,” Nene said of that pressure. “But I believe in myself. I believe I can be what I want to be. I want to be in the sky, up high.”
Denver coach George Karl predicted Nene could become an all-star if he developed enough, citing his size, athleticism and ability to guard the low post and faster forwards such as Dirk Nowitzki.
If the Nuggets make no other changes up front, Karl faces the challenge of playing three highly paid big men – Nene, Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby – in two spots.
“Someone told me a long time ago that if you can keep money out of your locker room, it’s better for the development of your basketball team,” Karl said. “That’s hard to do right now, but maybe these guys have got their contracts behind them and they can put their minds on playing and being coached and playing hard.”
Nene said of the potential split time, “I don’t like to be selfish. I like thinking team….I like Kenyon. I like Marcus. We need each. We need them on the team. We need to play together.”
Without changes, the Nuggets stand at a little more than $61 million in payroll. Using the full $5.2 million midlevel exception will put them over the $65.4 million luxury tax threshold, meaning extra expenses for Kroenke.
But Karl didn’t sound worried: “The commitment to win has never been affected by money since I’ve been here. … Stan is an owner who wants to win.”
Staff writer Adam Thompson can be reached at 303-820-5447 or athompson@denverpost.com.
