The NBA and Players Association has made a ruling on Nene’s two-year, $20 million deal with the Houston Rockets, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Nene's original deal had $7.4 million in bonuses, an NBA record. The center will still make $2.6 million with the Rockets, but Nene's deal will exclude the “likely” bonuses as a salary in a trade.
While Nene can still earn those bonuses, the Rockets will not be able to use the full $10 million salary as a trade chip. Houston has been rumored to be interested in acquiring Andre Iguodala from the Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis reportedly has no interest in buying Iguodala out:
Rockets are no longer able to use Nene’s full $10M salary as trade chip, per league and union agreement. Houston signed Nene, discussed similar proposal for Iman Shumpert, potentially to move for someone like Andre Iguodala. Nene still has opportunity to earn $7.4M in bonuses. https://t.co/8lOxEj67w6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 19, 2019
Nene played in 42 games with the Rockets last season. The veteran big man averaged 3.6 points and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 51.7 percent from the field and 66.0 percent from the free-throw line.
Houston has Clint Capela and Tyson Chandler on the roster, which means Nene is going to have a hard time seeing consistent minutes with the Rockets in the upcoming season.
Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta and general manager Daryl Morey tried to get creative with this contract. That much money tied to bonuses for an average player raised the eyebrows of the higher-ups in the NBA office.
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