Carmelo Anthony: Top Five Trade Ideas

Within the last week rumors of Carmelo Anthony leaving Denver have circulated again, and it seems inevitable that he is leaving.  It is also rumored that he has declined the extension that the Nuggets have offered him. 

With that in mind, here are five trade scenarios that the Nuggets could be mulling so that they do not lose Carmelo and get nothing back for him.  They may not be the sweetest deals, but if the Nuggets are desperate to unload Carmelo, then who knows.

Orlando Magic—Vince Carter, J.J. Redick, and Marcin Gortat

Believe it or not the Orlando Magic could present a decent trade offer to the Nuggets to acquire Carmelo Anthony.  Although they are strapped for cash right now and have an older roster, the Nuggets are probably in rebuilding mode and would maybe take on some older bad contracts.

A trade of Vince Carter, J.J. Redick, and Marcin Gortat has a slim chance of happening, but you never know.  It would give the Nuggets two scorers in Carter and Redick, and also a solid center to anchor their front court.

Chance of Happening: Five percent

Chicago Bulls—Luol Deng, Taj Gibson, and Kyle Korver/Ronnie Brewer

The Bulls have a young roster that features a small forward who, although not close to Carmelo’s ability, can fill out a roster and play the small forward position very nicely.  Obviously the deal would not be straight up so they could throw in Taj Gibson and Kyle Korver or Ronnie Brewer.

That way the Nuggets would get a serviceable small forward, a power forward who is getting better in Gibson, and either a small forward who can shoot (Korver) or one who can play defense (Brewer).

Chance of Happening: 10 percent

Sacramento Kings—Beno Udrih, Donte Green, and Omri Casspi

The Sacramento Kings are another youthful team that also has a decent amount of cap space for next season.  They could provide youthful forwards in return for the chance to pair Carmelo with Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins. 

Beno Udrih, Donte Green, and Omri Casspi might have enough youth and potential to convince the Nuggets that the Kings are the team to unload Carmelo on.  It would enable them to gain point guard depth and forward dept, not to mention get younger.

Chance of Happening: 20 percent

New Jersey Nets—Devin Harris, Morrow/Williams, and Derrick Favors

The Nets could also pose as interesting trade partners for the Nuggets because they lost out on the big name free agents of 2010, and I can only imagine that Mikhail Prokhorov is interested in acquiring Carmelo Anthony in any way possible.  The Nets have a young roster that features great potential. 

They could offer a trade centered around Anthony Morrow and Terrence Williams, but even if other pieces are thrown in there it probably won’t be enough.  The Nuggets would definitely ask for any trade to center around Derrick Favors, and I think that Prokhorov is ready to win now.  It was rumored that Derrick Favors would be available in a sign-and-trade during the last free agency period. 

Prokhorov is crazy enough to center a deal around Favors and Devin Harris and try to fulfill his "championship in five years" prophecy.

Chance of Happening: 30 percent

New York Knicks—Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, and Toney Douglas

The Knicks have two young forwards that are worth taking a look at in Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari.  The Nuggets could be enticed by a deal centered around those two along with some other trade pieces.  Toney Douglas could be thrown in to offer point guard depth or Ronny Turiaf for a post presence.

The Knicks also are rumored to be the “unofficial” leading candidates to get Carmelo Anthony.  I don’t think anyone would be surprised if they tried to acquire Anthony a year before he hits the free agent market.

Chance of Happening: 40 percent