NBA Trade Rumors: Carmelo Anthony, Anthony Randolph and the Latest NBA Buzz
Well it's another day and that means another round of NBA trade rumors
We'll be going back to the Carmelo Anthony saga in Denver. There's still plenty to talk about, as this drama unfolds yet again, and the Lakers and Knicks continue to be linked to Anthony.
We'll also be going around the league, talking about players like O.J. Mayo, who may or may not be traded by the deadline. If you have any thoughts or comments, be sure to leave them below.
How Has Carmelo Anthony Handled the Constant Trade Talk?
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Carmelo Anthony has had to deal with constant speculation about a trade since the beginning of the season, and last night, when talking to Chris Tomasson of Fanhouse.com, he sounded off on having to deal with the rumors.
"I think it takes a strong-willed person, a strong-minded person, to deal with the stuff that I deal with and still go out there and go to work every day and perform on a nightly basis,'' Anthony said to the media.
"I take my hat off to myself for dealing with all this stuff that's going on and still be able to go out there and play at the high level that I can play at. I really don't think an average person can walk in my shoes. I don't think that.''
I'm sure this is going to go over well. At some point, as a pro athlete, you have to be a little more self-aware and realize what you're saying is really, really stupid and will be received poorly by the fans. Anthony has had to deal with rumors about being traded, and that stinks, but it's of his own doing.
He's the one who hasn't signed the extension with Denver and he's the one who has always been continuing the drama in the media. He has no one to blame for the situation but himself and he should realize that.
It's been amazing to watch how well Anthony has played this season, but what he said last night was just stupid. The trade deadline can't get here quick enough for Anthony, the Nuggets and their fans. I'm sure once the deadline passes, Anthony will take his hat off to himself.
He'll be the only one.
Will O.J. Mayo Be Moved Before the Deadline?
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O.J. Mayo has taken a step back.
Saying that is almost an understatement considering the year the former USC star has had. Mayo has struggled on the court and lost minutes in Memphis. Then Mayo was suspended 10 games after testing positive for a banned substance.
Despite it all, Mayo's name has surfaced in trade talks and according to CBSSports.com's Ken Berger, numerous general managers believe that Mayo could be had by the deadline, despite the hesitation created by his suspension.
A change of scenery could do Mayo some good. The fact is that he can fill it up on the offensive end and if he got in a new system with a new coach, they could figure out how to get him in a position to score the basketball.
Sometimes that's all it takes in sports and the team that gets him may be able to get him at a discounted price because of all that has happened. However, don't forget who Memphis traded to land Mayo. That person was Kevin Love. Could you imagine having a frontcourt that could feature Love, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol?
That would have been scary for a lot of teams on a nightly basis.
What Has Slowed the Trade Talks Between New York and Denver?
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We've been pondering the logistics of a trade between the New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony for a good while now.
The original deal, as reported by ESPN's Chris Broussard, would send Anthony to New York, with the Nuggets getting Wilson Chandler from the Knicks along with Corey Brewer and a first-round pick from Minnesota. The Timberwolves would get Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry.
According to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, the reason there hasn't been any progress and we don't have a deal is because both sides are evidently unhappy with the terms of the first proposal. If I'm a Knicks fan, that blows my mind.
How could the Knicks possibly be unhappy with this deal? New York would keep Landry Fields and Danilo Gallinari and only have to give up Wilson Chandler. Everyone can see why Denver would be unhappy with this deal, especially after the offer the New Jersey Nets had on the table, but the Knicks? That's shocking to say the least.
We all know that the Nuggets won't do the deal as presently constructed. With the Knicks being the favorites to land Anthony, it will be interesting to see how these prolonged talks impact teams like Houston and Dallas, both of which would love to have Anthony as a rental.
Things could get pretty interesting down the stretch if a bidding war starts over Anthony.
Will Anthony Randolph Be Traded One Way or Another?
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Anthony Randolph is wasting away in New York.
There were high hopes for Randolph in the Big Apple, but those have fizzled as Randolph has found himself on the bench and out of Mike D'Antoni's rotation. Randolph has been part of the rumored deal that would bring Carmelo Anthony to New York and send him to Minnesota.
As talks between the Nuggets and Knicks continue, the Timberwolves believe they will get Randolph one way or another according to CBSSports.com's Ken Berger.
If Anthony is not dealt to New York, or Randolph is no longer part of the package, Minnesota believes it can land him in a deal that would send a late first-round pick to the Knicks, with Randolph and Roger Mason Jr. to Minnesota. The Timberwolves would then waive Mason Jr.
It's odd to even think about the Knicks getting a first-round pick. We are all so used to New York trading away its first-round picks. It's a brave new world, ladies and gentlemen. I can see why teams would be interesting in Randolph, but I don't think giving up a first-round pick is the smartest way to get him.
Randolph has a ton of potential and Minnesota does have multiple first-round picks, so you could make the case for it. We have certainly seen worse deals made in the NBA. Either way, Randolph deserves to be traded if he's barely going to play in New York.
Could Other Players Be Added to a 'Melo Deal?
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According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks have talked about adding Raymond Felton and Chauncey Billups to the deal for Carmelo Anthony.
That would certainly sweeten the pot for Denver, who was getting the raw end of the deal in the original trade proposal that would have sent Anthony to New York. Billups isn't the player he used to be, but he's still a savvy veteran player who can lead a team to a championship.
Sure, sometimes the "Mr. Big Shot" nickname goes to his head a bit and he tries some bad shots in the clutch, but he also knows when to defer and has had great chemistry with Anthony in the past.
Felton has had a great year in New York and would be an intriguing piece to consider if you're the Nuggets. It still wouldn't be as good as the package that New Jersey put together when the two sides were talking, but it's something.
If you're Denver, you're not going to get equal value for Anthony in the trade market. It's now a matter of getting the best deal possible. The longer this goes on, the more the Knicks will have to offer. New York cannot afford to let another superstar go away.
If you add that mentality to the report from CBSSports.com that Denver is getting more and more comfortable with the prospect of holding onto its superstar, the Knicks have to do something. It will be interesting to see if New York steps up to the plate this time around.
What is Sacramento's Strategy at the Deadline?
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The Sacramento Kings are a team that is in an odd state right now. Sacramento has a star in Tyreke Evans and has some pieces that you could use to form a contending team, but the Kings have failed to produce on the court, and are dead last in the Western Conference.
Despite that, Sacramento basketball president Geoff Petrie told the Sacramento Bee that the Kings want to do things that are salary cap neutral going forward but did say a player with a proven history would be enticing to the Kings.
That's a tough trick to pull off in a trade, so I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were a fan of the Kings. Evans is a good starting point for the franchise, but it doesn't look like Sacramento will be making a big splash once the trade deadline rolls around.
However, I don't blame the Kings for taking that strategy. We're going to see a lot of teams play it close to the vest this year as there is an uncertain labor situation looming. No one wants to take on a ton of salary right before a possible lockout.
This could be one of the slowest trade deadlines in recent memory. Rebuilding may have to wait until the offseason if you're a fan of the Kings. I bet the season can't end soon enough, can it?
