NBA Trade Rumors: What Carmelo Anthony Deal Would Mean for New Jersey Nets

The most popular NBA rumor out there has Denver Nuggets superstar forward Carmelo Anthony going to the New Jersey Nets in a blockbuster trade.

Chauncey Billups, Devin Harris, Derrick Favors and a host of other would be involved, but even if the teams agree, Carmelo would have to agree to sign an extension with the Nets in order for the deal to go through.

And ESPN's Chris Broussard's recent tweet suggests that both sides may not even be able to agree on the terms.

But if the deal does actually go through, it would be huge for the Nets.

Here's what a potential Carmelo-to-the-Nets trade would mean for New Jersey.

Their Biggest Weakness Will Be Filled

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BOSTON - NOVEMBER 24: Travis Outlaw #21 of the New Jersey Nets passes the ball as Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics defends on November 24, 2010 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by do

For most of the season, the Nets have been stuck starting Travis Outlaw at small forward.  He's rewarded them by posting an 8.26 PER, well-below replacement level.

I think it's pretty safe to say Carmelo would be an upgrade.

They Would Make the Playoffs

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Avery Johnson of the New Jersey Nets calls a play during the game against the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on December 22, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Nets 105-91.

As bad as the Nets are, they're just six games behind Charlotte for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Getting Melo would get them into the playoffs.

They Would Be Able To Score

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 5: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 5, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading a

The Nets are 29th in the NBA in points per game, at 92.4.

Ouch.

With an elite scorer coming in, they could move into the middle tier of teams on offense.  That would be monstrous.

They Would Play for a Crowd

The Nets are dead-last in the NBA in attendance, at 13,221 per game.

The Prudential Center is actually a pretty good place to watch a game, but no one wants to see a team without a superstar (sorry, Brook Lopez).

Adding Carmelo would put fans in the seats.

They Would Have Home-Field Advantage for Once

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 05: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets fights to drive through Baron Davis #5 and Ryan Gomes #15 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 5, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

At 7-10, the Nets have one of the worst home records in the NBA.

Their lack of talent doesn't help, but even the lowly Washington Wizards have managed to put together 10 wins at home.

If the Nets can get Carmelo and actually get some fans to their games, they should get their home-field advantage back.

Brook Lopez Would Get Back to Being Himself

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 22: Brook Lopez #11 of the New Jersey Nets shoots the ball over Emeka Okafor #50 of the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on December 22, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Nets 105-91. NOT

Brook Lopez has struggled mightily this year, despite being one of the most talented young centers in the NBA.

The fact that other teams can focus almost solely on him isn't helping, and Carmelo would really divert teams' defenses away from Lopez.

Lopez's stats would improve greatly with Carmelo on the team.

Other Stars Would Consider Coming to New Jersey

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 7: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets drives against Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 7, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, b

Since "The Decision," superstars have been looking to pair up with others of their kind.

If Carmelo comes to New Jersey, who knows who might follow.  Chris Paul?

They Would Turn Into the Nuggets of the East

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 05: Chauncey Billups #1 of the Denver Nuggets drives against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 5, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 106-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agre

If the Nets get Carmelo (and give up Devin Harris, Derrick Favors and two first-rounders), they are giving up any chance at an NBA title.

They'll be a perennial playoff team, but never champions.

They'll Still Play Second-Fiddle to the Knicks

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 24: Amare Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks during his game against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena on November 24, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that

The Nets may be able to compete with the Knicks on the court after the trade, but they won't be much better than them.

And unless the Nets turn into a dynasty, New York will still be the Knicks' turf.  Their fans are too dedicated.

What Do You Think?

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 05: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 5, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 106-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowle

The Nets' projected lineup after the trade:

PG: Chauncey Billups

SG: Rip Hamilton

SF: Carmelo Anthony

PF: Kris Humphries

C: Brook Lopez

What do you think?

Will it happen?

Is it worth it?

Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud