The Denver Nuggets and free agent center Nene have reached an agreement on a five-year, $67 million deal to keep center in the Mile High City, reports ESPN's Marc Stein. After waiting months for a resolution to this situation, it appears the Nuggets have received an early Christmas present with this deal.

Nene was acquired by the Nuggets during the 2002 NBA Draft when the New York Knicks drafted him with the seventh overall pick and then traded him with Marcus Camby to the Nuggets for Antonio McDyess and others. Over nine seasons, the now 29-year-old big man has averaged 12.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

The Nuggets need Nene's veteran leadership more than ever as the team will certainly have a younger feel to it than in years past.

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