Recently, The Nets-Nuggets have been involved in trade discussions regarding SF Carmelo Anthony and C Marcus Camby.
The preliminaries of the deal seem to look similar to this:
New Jersey Nets send
Marcus Williams/Devin Harris
Richard Jefferson
10th overall pick
for
Denver Nuggets send
Carmelo Anthony
Marcus Camby
Reportedly, if New Jersey would've gotten lucky in last night's draft lottery and gained the third pick, the deal would be a lock. Unfortuanetly, for them they slipped below their pre-determined position at the nine spot; into the 10th selection.
LSU F Anthony Randolph is perceived to be the tenth overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, according to many mocks spread around the NBA community.
At 6-11 220, Randolph has been described as a younger Chris Bosh, as he uses his lanky frame to maneuver in the paint, block shots, and grab rebounds against stronger opponents.
He's extremely gifted and will be a All Star at the next level. The LSU standout averaged 15.6 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.3 BPG, and 1.1 SPG last season playing under John Brady.
However, his rail-thin body will leave him easily outmatched on the low post against the stronger forwards of the game.
Here are the benefits of the deal:
1. Denver frees up cap room with Marcus Camby and Carmelo Anthony departing. Anthony has four years remaining on his deal with $13,041,250 per season coming his way and Camby has two years and $20 million left on his. Now for their aquisitions, Richard Jefferson is scheduled to make $36.6 million in the next three years and Williams only $1.82 million for one year, plus Anthony Randolph's contract.
2. The Nuggets gain a veteran in Richard Jefferson, who will help spread the floor and will become their top scoring option. They also receive young talent in Randolph and Williams/Harris, which makes for a outstanding future to come. Can you imagine this lineup?
Marcus Williams/Devin Harris
Allen Iverson
Richard Jefferson
Anthony Randolph
Nene
3. New Jersey receives much needing scoring in Carmelo and their most imposing figure in the paint (Marcus Camby) since Kenyon Martin. The combo of Carmelo and Vince Carter sounds deadly and will give Eastern Conference teams plenty of trouble. New Jersey is almost guaranteed no lower than the fourth seed.
While the trade may seem wonderful at first thought, it actually maybe a nightmare; here's why:
1. If the Nuggets completed this trade, their would still be empty holes that would need to be addressed. With Marcus Camby going to New Jersey, there is no longer a defensive force in the paint, leaving the Nuggets even more vulnerable than last season.
The only way that can be addressed is through free agency or a trade.
Emeka Okafor is the only candidate seriously worth pursuing but if the Charlotte Bobcats makes the decision to match Denver's offer sheet (Emeka is a restricted free agent), then he remains with the Bobcats.
Elton Brand, and Jermaine O'Neal have the option to opt out as well, but may remain with their teams until their contract is up.
Paul Millsap, Kurt Thomas, are the only other quality free agents but Jerry Sloan raves about Millsap's toughness and you have to wonder how much longer will Kurt Thomas play?
On the bright side, The Nuggets could always go after Kwame Brown, he's available.
Even with Marcus Willaims coming over in the deal, I'm not exactly sold that the Nuggets now have a credible point guard. I was a fan of Marcus when he played for Connecticut and undoubteldy he has the tools; the ball control, size, patience, and court vision.
But the question is after playing second fiddle to Jason Kidd in the 2006-07 season and Devin Harris last year, is he ready to take over the starting role and is he conditioned enough to be effective in George Karl's offense?
Some have Devin Harris taking the place of Williams in the trade. Devin is capable of being a major star in the future as well. Although the maturity issue is always attached when discussing Harris.
Denver frees up cap room with Marcus Camby and Carmelo Anthony departing. Anthony has 4 years remaining on his deal with $13,041,250 per season coming his way and Camby has 2 years and $20 million left on his.
Now for their aquisitions, Richard Jefferson is scheduled to make $36.6 million in the next 3 years and Williams only $1.82 million for one year, plus Anthony Randolph's contract.
2. If New Jersey trades for Carmelo now, it almost certainly ends all hope for the LeBron campaign in 2010. Its kind of like the New Jersey Nets wanting to open their birthday presents prematurely before cutting the cake.
3. This trade borderlines on high risk, high reward territory. If A.R. proves not to be a hit in Denver, the Nuggets would have taken a bust. And what if Melo breaks out of his shell and becomes the superstar that he should be?
All eyes will be on owner Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke.
Time is also a key factor in the deal. Depending on when the deal is completed, pre-draft or on draft day, the outcomes could resemble this:
The Nuggets will either be content with Randolph, have the Nets choose the player they want, or draft a big man of their own.
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2 months ago
Three things are wrong with the Nuggets -- lack of an offensive presence in the paint, lack of a dime dropping PG, and lack of a consistent perimeter threat.
Randolph may provide a low post scoring presence.
But Harris, Williams and Jefferson are all average outside shooters.
However, Harris would provide a sweet PG that could let Iverson work off the ball more.
Not sure about Williams though.
In a sense, you lose a rebounding and blocking machine along with Anthony and gain an older version of Anthony along with a solid PG and a raw draft pick.
If Harris is involved I would do the trade, because he is a definite upgrade at PG over Anthony Carter. Otherwise it would not be good for the Nuggets.
from 2 months ago
After last season, Richard Jefferson has now become an accomplished jump shooter. He averaged a career high 22.6 PPG last season which is proof that he has improved aspects of his game.
I was also concerned about the loss of Marcus Camby. If the Nuggets do make this trade, they better be in talks with the Emeka or the Indiana Pacers about aquring Jermaine O'Neal. I heard that Brendan Haywood in Washington was also to be on the chopping block.
2 months ago
Yeah this is a better version of my article I must say...I never really bothered to look into salaray caps and all that junk...I tend to just look at the want to win games...
a couple things about this though are kind of off in my opinion though...
anthony randolph...im pretty sure he is not going to be worth it. very few rookies have amazing seasons and i dont believe he will be one of them...i think he'll end up just being ok for his rookie season...
and richard jefferson = older carmelo? last time i checked the only think richard jefferson could do was score...he averages less than 5 rebounds and about 2 assists a game...melo on the other hand is a double double guy who has the triple double potential...that is if he shares the ball.
and you better be kidding about kwame...
harris and williams would be nice since anthony carter isn't that great
from 2 months ago
This article really isn't a better version of your article.
The only thing in common between mine and yours is that they involve trading Carmelo Anthony. You failed to name players, nor did you mention the 2008 draft or a draft pick.
I've written about trading Melo before, this time its just a new development.
Thanks for the compliments though.
2 months ago
yeah your right yours is specifically about the nets and nugs mines jus about trading melo in general
from 2 months ago
However, both are good articles.
2 months ago
Sean, nice article. What's your take on Melo and Bron-Bron ending up in NJ once Jay-Z takes the reigns? something that has been tossed around in the media...
Camby's 9pts, 13 board averages are not worth the $10mil he is cashing at the bank...Melo outright refuses to play defense, so both make sense in one aspect, but do you really see AI working off the ball? I am not sure that I saw enough of that last season. Granted, Anthony Carter may be the worst starting point guard in the league.
Just some thoughts, curious to dialouge
from 2 months ago
I appreciate the comment.
Truthfully, if Carmelo does end up in New Jersey because of this trade, there will be no way Lebron James also flocks there. How will the Nets be able to afford both Melo and James? Will they both be unselfish enough to take paycuts? How will ball distribution go? With the money going to both superstars, who will be their supporting cast and how will they be able to afford a decent one?
Too many questions unanswered in that scenario.
The Nuggets front office and George Karl are in major disagreements. One party wants to trade Carmelo and the other wants Allen Iverson to get the boot. I doubt a deal involving either will occur, but if anyone is traded it will be Iverson.
Denver can easily solve their point guard problem through the draft in Ty Lawson or by free agency: Chris Duhon, Jose Calderon, Jason Williams, Anthony Johnson, or by trade: T.J. Ford, Jamaal Tinsley, Kirk Hinrich.
2 months ago
just thought id also mention that before carter got there when kidd got hurt RJ was a triple double threat every night. he took over that team and his dime and board totals went up. im not sure what the avg were then to be honest but i know they went up.
just thought id mention since people are using his avgs from last yr to compare him to melo. i honestly think RJ is the better small forward. with less off court issues.
i do think melo can score better tho.
curious if you think a marcus williams for camby trade could work with some sort of pick in there?
from 2 months ago
Carmelo is the better player in my book. Jefferson is the more versatile scorer of the two, with his ability to weave in and out of the paint, while Melo at times only uses his face up game or every now and then drive to the rim for a layup. However, Carmelo has the better numbers.
Honestly, for a Marcus Williams-Marcus Camby deal to happen, I believe the Nets will have to do this
Add the 21st pick in the 2008 Draft
Add the 2009 2nd round pick
Send Cash (probably about $1-2 million)
2 months ago
your opinion on RJ vs melo is fair enough but im confused about your take on a marcus williams camby deal
if you view melo as the better player then RJ then how does taking that aspect away from the trade change the deal so much.
way ive seen it was marcus williams, RJ, lotto pick, and van horns contract for melo and camby...i see that as RJ over melo and camby over marcus by a little more so add in the lotto pick and the contract makes it even money wise....and gives them cap relief in a yr or two whenever its up
i dont see how williams the lotto pick and van horn for camby isnt enough.....just wasnt sure if either side would be interested in that.
from 2 months ago
Keith Van Horn isn't even worth the linen used to make his jersey.
You only mentioned Marcus Williams for Marcus Camby as a side deal, you never said anything about including Van Horn.
T
he additional draft picks came into play if only the Camby-Williams deal were to happen.
Williams has little trade value, so the draft picks are the only real item the Nets have to offer that would make Denver part ways with their best defender and one of the best centers in the game.
2 months ago
This trade sounds like wishful thinking on the Nets' part. No way do the Nuggets part ways with their best defender and their best scorer (yes, better than Iverson, who's a certified ballhog) to get a third-tier SF and a skinny PF. They're getting 30 cents on the dollar if they even think of making a trade this dumb. I would definitely agree a trade needs to be made to shake things up, but they can get a better offer than this.
from 2 months ago
New Jersey may have something here.
If you were to add the 2009 1st round pick along with Richard Jefferson, Devin Harris, Anthony Randolph, the Nuggets front office would be ectastic and unable to resist.
Then you have a team of Jefferson, Harris, Randolph, Iverson, and Kenyon Martin not to mention the Nuggets still have a pick at #20, which they could draft a big man to replace Camby or a shooting guard that fits into their rotation like Chris Douglas-Roberts.
Add Roberts to the mix, and that sounds like a dangerous team for years to come in the Western Conference.
Also, if the Nuggets are able to woe away Emeka Okafor from the Bobcats, they have to be guaranteed at least the #3 seed in the West.
2 months ago
oh i know van horn is worthless as a player.....but its the contract to make the money right. and then when it expires they get relief.
in any case i agreed that williams wasnt worth camby straight up but williams plus a lotto pick and chance at some cap relief sooner then later i thought would be enough....
however i think michael is more accurate in this is wishful thinking anyway. if any deal took place itwould include everyone more then likly. and lots of picks. thanks for listening and replying tho.
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