Are Carmelo Anthony's Days as a Nugget Numbered?

The Nuggets were dealt a crushing defeat by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs, getting swept 4-0.

In that series, Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony averaged 22.5 PPG, 9.5 RPG, and 2 APG while managing to criticize coaching staff and his fellow teammates by "Saying we simply quit".

With the first round exit, many have called for trades of either superstar Allen Iverson or Carmelo Anthony.

I've already done Allen Iverson scenarios, now its Melo's turn.

For the record, I'd like to see neither go.

Here are several deals that I think Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke would welcome:

Heat send

Shawn Marion

Jason Williams

for

Nuggets send

Carmelo Anthony

Pro’s:

The Miami Heat instantly become the 2nd best team in the Eastern Conference and a powerhouse across the league. They gain another 20+PPG scorer in Melo and a gem at the small forward position. Also, Anthony takes the load off of D-Wade's and Udonis Haslem's back and provides a warm welcome to the new coach. Carmelo adjusts perfectly in Miami's system as they also enjoy the uptempo style of play.

Another big benefit of the deal for the Melo is that Miami is a change of scenery that he may need in order to build back up his stained public image.

The Nuggets gain another outstanding defender with Shawn Marion and a great rebounder. While the Nuggets will lose some offensive production because of the deal, they recover nicely on the defensive end and will cut down opponents' scoring.

Problems:

Marion will have to agree to a new deal with the Heat (Sign and Trade) for this deal to go through.  How will the Heat effectively divide touches between Dwyane and Anthony? Can two young superstars surivive their remaining contracts without getting into arguments or cutting each others heads off?

Wizards send

Antawn Jamison

 for

Nuggets send

Carmelo Anthony

Pro’s:

Denver receives one of the most versatiles forwards in the league, i.e. Antawn Jamison. Jamison was only one of four players this season to average over 20 points and 10 rebounds; 21.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG. The Nuggets rebounding goes up and opponents second chance shots and rebounding goes down.

Wizards Line-Up

Antonio Daniels

Caron Butler 

Carmelo Anthony

Andray Blatche 

Brandon Haywood

Nuggets Line-Up

Allen Iverson

Linas Kleiza 

Antawn Jamison

Kenyon Martin

Marcus Camby 

Problems:

Antawn must reach a sign and trade deal with the Wizards in order for the deal to happen. Adding to the list, is the fact that according to Gilbert Arenas, if Jamison doesn't return, I don't either. Which means Washington loses both Antawn Jamison and Agent-Zero.

If Denver doesn't make it into at least the semifinals, the idea that all the scorers in the world and no defense criticism returns.

Mavericks send

Josh Howard

Brandon Bass

for

Nuggets send

Carmelo Anthony

J.R. Smith

Pro’s:

This deal sounds almost intoxicating. The Nuggets get the best hustle man and perhaps the NBA's best rebounder off the bench in Brandon Bass and athletically gifted and sometimes troubled Josh Howard. Bass provides incredible toughness, great strength, and an outstanding basketball I.Q. .

Josh is a nifty forward with outstanding ball handling, posses good decision making, and has a variety of moves. Because Howard handles the ball like a point guard, he may have the Lebron James effect on the Nuggets squad.

The Mavericks become deadly and one of the elite teams in the Western Conference once again. Carmelo's imposing figure alongside future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd, and Dirk Nowitzki make for a good fit. Kidd would be in heaven, having the option to either throw the ball to Dirk or Melo and opposing teams would be scratching their heads defensively as Dallas would almost be unstoppable. 

Let's not forget just how good J.R. Smith was this season. Smith averaged over 18 points a game against the Lakers in the first round, including a 26 point performance in Game 4. His attitude may change with veterans Jason Kidd and Jason Terry as teammates.

Mavs Line-Up 

Jason Kidd

J.R. Smith/Jason Terry

Carmelo Anthony

Dirk Nowitzki

Erick Dampier

Nuggets Line-Up

Allen Iverson

Linas Kleiza

Josh Howard

Brandon Bass/Kenyon Martin

Marcus Camby

Problems:

J.R. Smith has to agree to a sign and trade deal with the Nuggets. He also may once again find himself unhappy in the rotation and his on court demeanor and decision may cause more trouble than what he's really worth for the Mavericks.

Howard's past may keep up with him in Denver and when he is underperforming how will Josh react to even harsher words in Denver?

Bulls send 

Chris Duhon

Tyrus Thomas

Larry Hughes

for

Nuggets send

Carmelo Anthony

J.R. Smith

Nene

Pro’s: This major trade will show the NBA that the Nuggets meant business this offseason. This trade addresses almost all of Denver's needs.

Chris Duhon easliy takes over the role of point guard where he is a good defender and a threat from behind the arc, Larry Hughes is one of the game's best perimeter defenders and is still a 20+ point per game scorer on any given night, Tyrus Thomas acts as a younger Dikembe Mutombo with a better offensive game and will greatly benefit from the teachings of current C Marcus Camby.  

The Bulls get yet another attempt at a big man to see if he fills their standards in Nene, they get Carmelo Anthony; which would allow Luol Deng to walk, and the services of J.R. ''Instant Offense'' Smith.

All's well that ends well.

Bulls Line-Up

Kirk Hinrich

Thabo Selfolosha

Carmelo Anthony

Drew Gooden

Aaron Gray/Joakim Noah 

Nuggets Line-Up

Chris Duhon

Allen Iverson

Larry Hughes

Tyrus Thomas/Kenyon Martin

Marcus Camby 

Problems:

What if the Nuggets realized what the Chicago Bulls already knew when Tyrus Thomas underachieves and doesn't play up to his prime and is labeled a bust? Big problems happens. If Larry Hughes can't stay healthy where does the Nuggets scoring come from? What if Chris Duhon can't properly handle the starting job or suffers a season ending injury the first week of the season where do they turn to for a point guard?

The only concern that I have for the Bulls is how many points will Carmelo score a night going up against the Eastern Conference. I'm guessing around 42.6 PPG. Also, how long will it take Anthony to develop team chemistry with this young Chicago team?

Speaking as the biggest Nuggets fan on this site,( I think everyone can vouch for me) I love Carmelo and I don't want to see him go. But what I do want to see is major improvement from the Denver Nuggets next season.