Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors: Nets Offer Murphy, Favors in Latest Deal for 'Melo
Weeks after trade talks regarding Carmelo Anthony between the Denver Nuggets and New Jersey Nets seemed to skid to a halt, the Nets put a new offer on the table.
The proposed deal would send power forwards Troy Murphy and Derrick Favors, as well as two first round picks to Denver in exchange for the Nuggets three time all-star.
In past trade talks, negotiations fell through when the Nets refused to hand over either Brook Lopez or Devin Harris, the two budding centerpieces of their roster.
The newest offer, as it stands now, is great for the Nuggets. Favors' stock has gone up considerably since the start of the season, as he is averaging almost a double-double in only about 20 minutes per game. Murphy is an established double-double big man, and looks to have finally healed after a lingering back injury kept him out of the preseason.
However, this would make the Nuggets slightly heavy at power forward, as they already have Al Harrington, who they signed during the offseason, Ronaldo Balkman, Shelden Williams, and an injured Kenyon Martin, who hopes to return sometime after the Thanksgiving weekend.
If this deal were to go through, The Nuggets would probably include either Williams or Balkman along with Anthony.
The only drawback to this deal for the Nuggets would be Murphy's expiring contract. Murphy is on the final year of his contract, and the Nuggets may not want to deal their superstar for somebody who they may only keep for the remainder of the season.
While this offer is certainly better for the Nets than past proposals, it still creates a few issues.
Who would start at power forward? Kris Humpries? Joe Smith?
The Nets would most likely have to shift Outlaw to the four spot to make room for Anthony at the three and avoid starting second string talent for the rest of the season.
Even if the Nets could work out rotation kinks, do they really still want to make this deal?
Personally, I would like to see the Nets develop their young talent some more before they start shipping away their potential for a superstar who doesn't even want to play for them.
Sure, Carmelo may say now that he would sign a long-term extension with the Nets in order to get the trade done, but there's no saying that he will live up to that statement. He has already made clear in the past that the only two teams he truly wants to play for are the Bulls and the Knicks.
Right now, the Bulls won't give up Joakim Noah, and the Knicks have nothing to give up in the first place.
If the Nets desperately want to land Anthony in Newark and believe that he is their best shot at winning, they need to make sure he signs that extension.
