News for Nene - 2017 9 Category, $200 Cap, 4G/4F/2C

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Fri Jul 7 201701:08Rockets officially sign C Nene, F Tucker
The Houston Rockets signed free agent forward P.J. Tucker and re-signed center Nene, the team announced Thursday.Both deals had been reported a few days ago, but the Rockets made them official.Nene agreed to a new three-year, $11 million contract, according to ESPN. Their original four-year contract agreement was nullified Saturday based on the NBA's over-38 rule that limits long-term deals.In his first season as a Rocket, Nene appeared in 67 games with eight starts, while averaging 9.1 points and 4.2 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game. Dating back to 1979-80, he was one of three players with at least 40 games played to have averaged at least 9.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in fewer than 18.0 minutes per game in a single season."Nene was a big part of our success last season, especially in the playoffs," said Rockets general manager Daryl Morey. "He is a true professional and we are fortunate to have him remain a Rocket."Nene has the seventh-highest field goal percentage (54.8) among active players and would have ranked fifth in the NBA in 2016-17 had he qualified (61.7). During the playoffs, he shot 70.6 percent."The Rockets bring out the best in me," said Nene. "I love the entire organization from my teammates and coaches, to management and ownership. We have great leader in James Harden and will continue to work hard to bring another championship to Houston."Terms of Tucker's deal were not disclosed, but multiple reports indicated it is a four-year, $32 million deal.Tucker met with the Toronto Raptors once free agency started, but he talked to members of the Rockets, including All-Star guard James Harden.The Raptors reportedly offered three years and $33 million.New Rockets point guard Chris Paul also helped recruit Tucker to Houston, according to ESPN. The two players have been close since growing up in North Carolina.Tucker averaged 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds 1.4 steals in 81 games for the Suns and Raptors last season.