GraphConnections<N, V> connectionsV = nodeConnections.get(nodeV);
    if (connectionsV == null) {
      connectionsV = addNodeInternal(nodeV);
    }
    connectionsV.addPredecessor(nodeU, value);
    if (previousValue == null) {
      checkPositive(++edgeCount);
    }
    return previousValue;
  }

  @Override
  @CanIgnoreReturnValue
  @CheckForNull