Hakeem Nicks is one of the top free agents to watch as the official free agency period is set to begin in just over a month. There has been plenty of speculation as to whether Nicks intends to return to the New York Giants and whether the team even wants him back with the team. As the negotiation period begins, Victor Cruz could play a major role in the process.

Cruz said he intends to stay in contact with Nicks and get into his head regarding the upcoming decision. Just a season ago, Cruz was in the same position as Nicks and underwent a grueling negotiation process before he earned his long-term contract. He believes his experience can help guide his teammate's. 

"I plan on giving him a call, just to say hello, say 'What's up?' to him like I usually do, so we'll see," Cruz said, via the New York Post. 

Cruz said he is stressing that Nicks be patient with the process and let negotiations play out. He noted that it is all a business in the end. However, could Cruz also be having a negative impact on Nicks after he signed a nice long-term extension?

The NFL Network reports that Nicks was fined several times throughout the season for multiple reasons. He was often late to meetings or he missed treatments for various injuries. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport noted that Nicks never faced those issues in his first four seasons with the Giants, but returned as a different player after holding out while Cruz negotiated his extension.

What Nicks does is anyone's guess. The wide receiver told the New York Post that he is really in the dark over negotiations and the team has him in a holding period that could last until he just hits the market.

"I really don't know what to expect right now," Nicks said. "[The Giants said] there's some stuff going on as far as the coaching changes right now. So right now, we're just taking time to step away from it. When it's time to handle all that, it'll happen. I understand the business side of things if it doesn't happen, but we all know this is where I want to be."