The Nuggets were dealt a crushing defeat by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs, getting swept 4-0.
In that series, Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony averaged 22.5 PPG, 9.5 RPG, and 2 APG while managing to criticize coaching staff and his fellow teammates by "Saying we simply quit".
With the first round exit, many have called for trades of either superstar Allen Iverson or Carmelo Anthony.
I've already done Allen Iverson scenarios, now its Melo's turn.
For the record, I'd like to see neither go.
Here are several deals that I think Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke would welcome:
Heat send
Shawn Marion
Jason Williams
for
Nuggets send
Carmelo Anthony
Pro’s:
The Miami Heat instantly become the 2nd best team in the Eastern Conference and a powerhouse across the league. They gain another 20+PPG scorer in Melo and a gem at the small forward position. Also, Anthony takes the load off of D-Wade's and Udonis Haslem's back and provides a warm welcome to the new coach. Carmelo adjusts perfectly in Miami's system as they also enjoy the uptempo style of play.
Another big benefit of the deal for the Melo is that Miami is a change of scenery that he may need in order to build back up his stained public image.
The Nuggets gain another outstanding defender with Shawn Marion and a great rebounder. While the Nuggets will lose some offensive production because of the deal, they recover nicely on the defensive end and will cut down opponents' scoring.
Problems:
Marion will have to agree to a new deal with the Heat (Sign and Trade) for this deal to go through. How will the Heat effectively divide touches between Dwyane and Anthony? Can two young superstars surivive their remaining contracts without getting into arguments or cutting each others heads off?
Wizards send
Antawn Jamison
for
Nuggets send
Carmelo Anthony
Pro’s:
Denver receives one of the most versatiles forwards in the league, i.e. Antawn Jamison. Jamison was only one of four players this season to average over 20 points and 10 rebounds; 21.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG. The Nuggets rebounding goes up and opponents second chance shots and rebounding goes down.
Wizards Line-Up
Antonio Daniels
Caron Butler
Carmelo Anthony
Andray Blatche
Brandon Haywood
Nuggets Line-Up
Allen Iverson
Linas Kleiza
Antawn Jamison
Kenyon Martin
Marcus Camby
Problems:
Antawn must reach a sign and trade deal with the Wizards in order for the deal to happen. Adding to the list, is the fact that according to Gilbert Arenas, if Jamison doesn't return, I don't either. Which means Washington loses both Antawn Jamison and Agent-Zero.
If Denver doesn't make it into at least the semifinals, the idea that all the scorers in the world and no defense criticism returns.
Mavericks send
Josh Howard
Brandon Bass
for
Nuggets send
Carmelo Anthony
J.R. Smith
Pro’s:
This deal sounds almost intoxicating. The Nuggets get the best hustle man and perhaps the NBA's best rebounder off the bench in Brandon Bass and athletically gifted and sometimes troubled Josh Howard. Bass provides incredible toughness, great strength, and an outstanding basketball I.Q. .
Josh is a nifty forward with outstanding ball handling, posses good decision making, and has a variety of moves. Because Howard handles the ball like a point guard, he may have the Lebron James effect on the Nuggets squad.
The Mavericks become deadly and one of the elite teams in the Western Conference once again. Carmelo's imposing figure alongside future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd, and Dirk Nowitzki make for a good fit. Kidd would be in heaven, having the option to either throw the ball to Dirk or Melo and opposing teams would be scratching their heads defensively as Dallas would almost be unstoppable.
Let's not forget just how good J.R. Smith was this season. Smith averaged over 18 points a game against the Lakers in the first round, including a 26 point performance in Game 4. His attitude may change with veterans Jason Kidd and Jason Terry as teammates.
Mavs Line-Up
Jason Kidd
J.R. Smith/Jason Terry
Carmelo Anthony
Dirk Nowitzki
Erick Dampier
Nuggets Line-Up
Allen Iverson
Linas Kleiza
Josh Howard
Brandon Bass/Kenyon Martin
Marcus Camby
Problems:
J.R. Smith has to agree to a sign and trade deal with the Nuggets. He also may once again find himself unhappy in the rotation and his on court demeanor and decision may cause more trouble than what he's really worth for the Mavericks.
Howard's past may keep up with him in Denver and when he is underperforming how will Josh react to even harsher words in Denver?
Bulls send
Chris Duhon
Tyrus Thomas
Larry Hughes
for
Nuggets send
Carmelo Anthony
J.R. Smith
Nene
Pro’s: This major trade will show the NBA that the Nuggets meant business this offseason. This trade addresses almost all of Denver's needs.
Chris Duhon easliy takes over the role of point guard where he is a good defender and a threat from behind the arc, Larry Hughes is one of the game's best perimeter defenders and is still a 20+ point per game scorer on any given night, Tyrus Thomas acts as a younger Dikembe Mutombo with a better offensive game and will greatly benefit from the teachings of current C Marcus Camby.
The Bulls get yet another attempt at a big man to see if he fills their standards in Nene, they get Carmelo Anthony; which would allow Luol Deng to walk, and the services of J.R. ''Instant Offense'' Smith.
All's well that ends well.
Bulls Line-Up
Kirk Hinrich
Thabo Selfolosha
Carmelo Anthony
Drew Gooden
Aaron Gray/Joakim Noah
Nuggets Line-Up
Chris Duhon
Allen Iverson
Larry Hughes
Tyrus Thomas/Kenyon Martin
Marcus Camby
Problems:
What if the Nuggets realized what the Chicago Bulls already knew when Tyrus Thomas underachieves and doesn't play up to his prime and is labeled a bust? Big problems happens. If Larry Hughes can't stay healthy where does the Nuggets scoring come from? What if Chris Duhon can't properly handle the starting job or suffers a season ending injury the first week of the season where do they turn to for a point guard?
The only concern that I have for the Bulls is how many points will Carmelo score a night going up against the Eastern Conference. I'm guessing around 42.6 PPG. Also, how long will it take Anthony to develop team chemistry with this young Chicago team?
Speaking as the biggest Nuggets fan on this site,( I think everyone can vouch for me) I love Carmelo and I don't want to see him go. But what I do want to see is major improvement from the Denver Nuggets next season.
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about 1 month ago
By the way, Chris Duhon and J.R. Smith have to agree to sign and trade deals for the Bulls-Nuggets trade to work.
about 1 month ago
"For the record, I'd like to see neither go."
That said, enjoy these first-round exits. Just being real.
from about 1 month ago
I am beginning to understand that for the Nuggets to get farther, one of the following must happen:
Allen Iverson gets traded
Carmelo Anthony traded
Linas Kleiza gets traded
J.R. Smith gets traded
Nuggets select the right player in the draft
Nuggets sign a big name free agent in the offseason
about 1 month ago
One player leaving or being drafted doesn't get a playoff win, much less win a series. This team plays no defense and George Karl certainly doesn't mind.
from about 1 month ago
You must remember grasshopper, One player leaving maybe the equivalent of 2 or three players gained.
about 1 month ago
Just saying that this team needs a lot than just 2 or 3 players added. Chemistry is a big deal with this team in my opinion. It's a problem, they don't have much, if any, of it.
from about 1 month ago
I think its a combination of factors too why the Nuggets don't currently have that.
One is that it seems George Karl is incapable of getting in a player's face and yelling at them.
Iverson and Carmelo have no initiative at the defensive end and would rather focus on scoring than putting a hand up in a ball handler's face.
I also believe that Camby is too heavily relied on to account for the entire Nuggets defense.
about 1 month ago
Those are absolutely pathetic ideas. Hughes, Thomas, Duhon for Smith, Nene, Melo!!!
Sorry kid, these trades are insulting.
from about 1 month ago
Really, pathetic?
If Hughes were brought to Denver would he not become their teams best one on one defender?
Are you saying that Thomas wouldn't be a great amount of talent and energy that Denver needs?
Duhon takes over the point guard spot and will help creativity and offensive flow.
You have to remember Thomas, Hughes, and Duhon are all good defenders, exactly what the doctor ordered for Denver.
Give me your trade that would work for Denver, since mine are "pathetic".
about 1 month ago
Interesting ideas. I'm not sure that the Nuggets are ready show melo the door just yet but with his constant off court problems its becoming more and more possible. He is no longer untouchable and the Nuggets would be willing to listen to trades. The problem is the nuggets are very unlikely to get what they consider adequate value in return.
about 1 month ago
Sean, JR Smith is as good as any lotto pick. There is simply no question about it. If you take away some of his maturity issues , he's a better prospect than Rose right now. Carmelo Anthony is 23 years old. 25/7.5/3.5 he's doing that without a pg, w/out a system to get him good looks, w/out any starters that can shoot off the ball and w/a shoot-first ballhandler. He was arguably the best player on TEAM USA these last two years as well as a Captain on that team.
You are talking about trading these two players to what amounts to a barely mediocre back-up point guard, a hopeless and terrible contract to production ratio sg (and yes there is a player on the Denver roster who is a better defender named 'khouba Diawara- he's got a similar offensive game) and a hustle psuedo power forward who wouldn't get playing timeover Eddie Najera.
That is the worst trade idea I have ever heard of and I used to read ESPn message board.
Frst of all, any trade that would involve either Jr Smith or Carmelo Anthony would have to be a sign and trade becuase of JR. Secondly, you are nowhere near the ballpark with your value recieved.
Carmelo Anthony himself in terms of sheer player value is hard to measure. He still has a cieling, though even if you think that this is the best he'll ever be, he's worth more than 99% of the league.
Given the production you can expect from him for a 5-8 year period, the only players with more value are: Deron Williams, CP3, Stat, Lebron, Kobe, D12. Period. Now ovbiously there are other players who are better than Melo right now and there are a few guys who you can make a decent argument that are right there with him moving forward.
But the bottom line is that he's a horse and there aren't many out there that can give you 25-8 with great efficiency.
I am in the camp that believes that Melo's has much untapped and that a change of coaching, philsophy and personel would do him wonders. When you start to consider that most of the NBA is in that camp, than his value goes up even more.
from about 1 month ago
How do you figure J.R. Smith is as good as Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley?
Derrick Rose is the best point guard in college basketball and maybe even the best player in College Basketball and in the 2008 Draft.
Rose will be a starter in the NBA and Smith will continue being a sub unless he goes to a team that desperately needs shooting guards.
I don't think I really have to explain why Beasley is so much better than J.R. do I?
I've heard of Yakhouba check out my article A Thank You Letter To The Denver Nuggets
All of the trades I mentioned are at least of or equal or similar value of Carmelo.
about 1 month ago
Melo leaving the Nuggets? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. LOL.
HELL NAH. That's not gonna happen. Sorry. The Nuggets are not gonna trade neither Melo nor Iverson. But they need to put better players around them if they want to contend and they need a better bench. Other than that, Melo ain't going nowhere and if the Nuggets that dumb enough to trade the man that put them on the map, good luck to them.
about 1 month ago
I wouldn't be so sure that Iverson or Carmelo can't and won't be traded this offseason, if the right deal comes around involving a couple of rising defenders and a scorer, the Nuggets might just pull the trigger.
about 1 month ago
Sean, Jr Smith is as good of a prospect as Rose and MB (better) he has the best range in basketball and a 45 inch vertical. He was a top 10 player in per 48 scoring, and a top 10 pps player (or epps). The Kid is 22 years old and has shown he development in his driving game. With Beasely you are talking about a guy who could be a slightly stronger Antwan Jamison Rose could be great and will immediately be solid, but can't shoot very well and that is incredibly important in the NBA.
Jr Smith, as soon as next year, could be Denver's best player. H is already an elite shooter and continues to improve his shot selection, though his ability to get 3's off is better than any other great shooter. great feet, acceleation and explosion. I think his cilieng is a combination of Wade and Ray Allen, which would make him the best prospect ina great draft.
Jr Smith might be the most talented youn gplayer in the NBA and given the fact that he has showncomp., floor leadership and the ability to develop fairly quickly, would make him highly valued in any trade.
from about 1 month ago
Wait a minute, I value Smith and how good of a player he really is but I wouldn't say he's the most talented young player in the NBA. Here are a list of NBA players who are around Smith's age that are equally or more talented:
Monta Ellis
Brandon Bass
Deron Williams
Chris Paul
Kevin Durant
Devin Harris
Josh Childress
Al Jefferson
J.R. wasn't even the best player in his draft
2004 NBA Draft
Dwight Howard
Kevin Martin
Luol Deng
Ben Gordon
Josh Childress
Devin Harris
Al Jefferson
Enough said.
about 1 month ago
Also Sean, Jr Smith would start for just about every team in the L outside of LA and Boston. it was mind-boggling that, even without a real pg, that JR Smith didn't start for Denver last year
Anyonewho followed Denver knows JR was their best player the second half of the season.
Also, the idea would be for Denver to trade for defensive players w/ out trading A.I. or Carmelo. More often than not it was Denver's inefficient offense that hurt them more than their lackadaisical defense, you trade away great offensive players for solid defenders and you aren't getting any better and you certainly aren't selling more tix.
many of Denver's problems stem from a distributing pg who can defend 2's effectively.
from about 1 month ago
Smith wouldn't start in
A Short List
Washington
Houston
Cleveland
Phoenix
Detroit
Milwaukee
Miami
Atlanta
New Jersey
about 1 month ago
I'll give you Dwight, CP3, Deron and perhaps Big Al, but none of those other guys as more talented players. Again we are talking talent, not production.
As for starting comment, it was more of a in jest comment, but he would certainly start for Cleveland, Houston would move Mac to 1 (becuase their pg's are shooters in the first place), Mil. and is clearly a better player than VC at this point in time.
about 1 month ago
Smith is not better than one of the deadlies three point shooters in the game
Michael Redd-Milwaukee
Rafer Alston has been good to the Houston Rockets all season long
How is J.R. Smith more talented than a player who averages over 20 PPG?
I'll give you Cleveland
about 1 month ago
The first thing that really needs to be considered in the current NBA structure is all the CAP related financial issues. It is this issues that nullifies most considerations so for any article to discuss trade possibilities wouldn't you want to list some of the salaries for the involved players and how many years may be remaining on their respective contracts? Just my two cents, but it does stimulate discussion.
On another note, most of the real possibilities just end up making Denver a lesser team, which goes to show it would not work, unless they are dumping and rebuilding.
If the purpose of your article was to show how absurd this type of comment is, then I think you have done an excellent job.
from about 1 month ago
So by me highlighting the possibility of the Nuggets adding defenders, that lessons their team?
You have it confused.
In every trade I mentioned involving Carmelo, there is at least one scorer averaging around 20 PPG, one block per game, 6 rebounds per game, and a steal per game.
So by gaining a defender and a scorer with those numbers for Melo, that degrades Denver?
No way.
about 1 month ago
Redd is a SF much of the time for them and Alston has had 1 freak year.
about 1 month ago
First of all, you don't send Carmelo to another Western Conference team. The only players that are realistically tradeable are Carmelo, A.I., Camby, and Kleiza. JR. Smith has shown that he has more upside then Carmelo so he definitely stays. The only teams that have enough assests to inquire about a trade with the Nuggets are the Bulls, Hawks, and Heat. The Heat will have to offer this year first round draft pick to get the trade done though. I really feel the Hawks have enough available talent to make a trade that will benfit both teams.
from about 1 month ago
I agree that the Hawks, Bulls, and Heat have some talent to send, but how in the world can you believe Smith has more potential than Carmelo?
Has J.R. Smith ever been 2nd in the NBA in scoring?
Did J.R. Smith ever finished 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting?
Has J.R. Smith ever been able to dominate Lebron James and the Cavaliers in head to head matchups?
The answer to all those questions are no.
about 1 month ago
wow as a nuggets fan i cant read any more of ur theories on them because none of them make sense....good for u for takin the time to write and everythign even though u have to work on ur spelling but seriously man u havent hit on the real problem with the nuggets.....they dont play defense they have a coach who doesnt care and carmelo is still the biggest waste of talent in the nba....but if ur talkin about people not playing defense dont include iverson hes a strong defender and at least takes pride in playing hard for 48 minutes on both ends while carmelo is just out there for the check...i say kid do some research before u continue to write any good journalist has to have solid facts and good imformation before they write a thing
from about 1 month ago
Jeff,
Before you attempt to correct my writing try taking some grammar lessons.
"but if ur talkin about people not playing defense dont include iverson hes a strong defender"
"i say kid do some research before u continue to write any good journalist has to have solid facts and good imformation before they write a thing"
Where's the punctuation?
I thought you were supposed to always capitalize I when by itself?
Are those sentences?
Second of all, how do you classify Iverson as a strong defender?, he's in the same boat as Carmelo, Kenyon, and Anthony Carter. A.I. didn't exactly shut down Derek Fisher, Jordan Farmar, or Sasha.
You're labeling Carmelo the biggest waste of talent in the NBA because he's not a very good defender?
Look at Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Tony Parker, Baron Davis, and Gilbert Arenas. All of them are game changers but don't play a lick of defense.
from about 1 month ago
Jeff's ovbiously dillusional. A.I. takes most possesions off defenseively so he can dribble the clock out on offense. Allen is at the root of Denver's peremiter defense problems. he can't guard 1's or 2's.
about 1 month ago
There is some reason to believe that JR Smith has better upside. SImply becuase the only comparable player in the NBA, in terms of range and athleticism (that produce) is Kobe. However, JR has a loooooong way to go before he can be a number 1 on offense. He really plays off his teammates and in transition, the whole game changes when you are the focal point. Ballhandling becomes critical. Becuase Melo can play in-between very well and create spacing for double teams, he is a much more natural number 1 offensive player (though he hasn't been with A.I.).
from about 1 month ago
How can you compare J.R. Smith to the game best player, the 2008 MVP, the Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant?
You're just playing favorites now.
I'll give you this, J.R. Smith is comparable to Michael Redd or maybe even a young Tracy McGrady and that's a stretch.
about 1 month ago
Sean, we are talking about upside. I said the only player comparable in talent is Kobe. When you combine JR's range (the best in the NBA), release and athelticism. Redd isn't in JR's league in those regards (ovbiously he is a more polished scorer). For sheer upside, jr has the chance to combine elite shooting numbers with top-level dribble-drive production. We are talking about Redd's shooting and Wade's finishing.
about 1 month ago
carmelo anthony dont need 2 b traded hes doing just fine with the nuggets.The nuggets need to keep all their players unless they dont want to make to the playoffs at all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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