Should The Denver Nuggets Consider Rebuilding?

It may sound like a strange question for a team coming off a 53-win season, one of the premier small forwards in the land and a nucleus that has been together for several years.

Do the Nuggets want to take the risk and end up like the Raptors or worse yet, like the Cavaliers?

Think about it.

If Carmelo Anthony opts to take his talents to the big apple or any other destination, the Nuggets would essentially be left with an over the hill point guard in Chauncey Billups a past his prime Power Forward signed long term, Al Harrington, and a nice solid  starting center in Nene.

It kind of sounds like the Antawn Jamison, Mo Williams, Anderson Varejao trio left over in Cleveland. 

The situations are not really much different. 

Both cities are smallish markets, both Anthony and James have nearly a decade left of their prime, and both teams have experienced their history of losing seasons. 

The attachment of LeBron James to the state of Ohio is the personal difference maker here.

From a Basketball standpoint; however, the key difference, and this is probably why Denver should actually opt for a rebuild, is that the Nuggets stand further away from contention than Cleveland did last season. 

The Lakers have actually improved with the additions of Steve Blake and Matt Barnes.

Utah has at worst stayed on par with Raja Bell and Al Jefferson replacing Wesley Matthews and Carlos Boozer.  

Dallas should be better with last year's new faces enduring a full training camp. 

Oklahoma City, of course, will probably build on last season's success with the progression of the new big three of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green.

The New Orleans Hornets and Portland Trailblazers both expect to be healthy and 50 plus win teams when intact.

So right off the bat, is Denver really that much better than a fourth seed out West? 

They have made one improvement, the signing of Al Harrington, but is that enough for them to get past the second round of the playoffs?

It is actually riskier to keep Carmelo. 

Right now the team doesn't have enough assets to really accumulate enough talent for a title contending run anytime soon. 

By dealing Melo and company now, at least Denver can start a rebuilding process early, maximize their return on assets, and hope for contention later down the road.

Even if they keep Anthony and he signs an extension, aren't the Nuggets looking more like a perrenial 1st to 2nd round loser in the playoffs than a true contender?

So now the question is, what could Denver get in a Carmelo deal and of course help jump start the rebuilding process?

First off, the plan shouldn't be just to deal Carmelo Anthony. 

The Nuggets would have to continue their rebuild by at least dealing Chauncey Billups along with Carmelo Anthony. 

The obvious reasoning for a Billups departure is his age (34), contract (13.15 Million for 2011), and likely diminishing talents. 

Also Denver could pave the way for 2nd year guard Ty Lawson to blossom in a starting role.

Obviously, we'll start a rebuilding plan with Carmelo of course. 

The one team that it would make most sense to deal Anthony to would be the Knicks. 

For nothing else, it would seem he'd likely sign an extension if he were to dealt there and New York does have some nice assets in Anthony Randolph, Wilson Chandler, Danillo Gallinari as well as the expiring contract of Eddy Curry to potentially offer.

The New Jersey Nets may also be in consideration for Carmelo Anthony, but it would seem doubtful that the team would take such a risk to acquire Anthony and lose one of their two major prospects: Derrick Favors or Brook Lopez in the process (considering that Anthony may debate on whether to sign an extension in New Jersey upon a trade).

In the end, New York may seem confident that they will land Carmelo Anthony in the summer of 2011 free agency, but they thought the same thing about LeBron James. 

If Carmelo agrees to an extension prior to such a trade, the Knicks may accept a Carmelo Anthony for Anthony Randolph, Dallino Gallinari, and Eddy Curry deal.

The next step is then finding a home for Mr. Billups.

The obvious suitors that come to mind are Portland and Charlotte.

The Portland Trailblazers could potentially offer a slew of youth for Billups in the form of Rudy Fernandez, Jerryd Bayless the expiring contract of Joel Pryzbilla, and perhaps a 2011 1st round pick.

Denver could even attach recently signed Al Harrington and veteran Anthony Carter into such a move and take back Andre Miller who has an uncertain deal after next season (or probably better yet, Andre Miller could be swung to Indiana in a three-way deal where Jeff Foster and several future second round picks come to Denver). 

The Charlotte Bobcats; meanwhile, may be able to package the non-guaranteed/instant savings contract of Eric Dampier, young point guard prospect DJ Augustin, and an unprotected 2011 first round pick.

Of these suitors' potential packages though, the Portland route would look more attractive considering the overall youth and potential coming to Denver.

Denver could then simply work out a buy out with veterans who would like to contend elsewhere like Kenyon Martin and Aaron Affalo (who are expiring anyway) and could be left with the following lineup:

PF Anthony Randolph/ Chris Anderson

SF Danillo Gallinari/ Ronaldo Balkman

C  Nene/ Jeff Foster/ Joel Pryzbilla/ Eddy Curry

SG JR Smith/ Rudy Fernandez

PG Ty Lawson/ Jerryd Bayless

The team would likely be in the lottery, but would also have an additional first round pick and would be around $28 million under the cap. 

So should the Nuggets rebuild now? 

If they can get a lineup that resembles the above,  definitely.

This team would have loads of promise, cap flexibility and multiple picks to be a promising franchise down the road.

Even if Carmelo seems unsure about leaving, the option would be wise to rebuild. 

Why hasn't Carmelo signed an extension this summer?

Especially when the new CBA agreement is approaching and he may risk losing out on a larger contract next off-season.

Denver you have been warned.

Carmelo's actions (or lack thereof) are clearer speaking louder than words and Denver management should take notice.

If the Nuggets don't rebuild now though, will Cleveland fans have enough Kleenex boxes to lend to the state of Colorado after Anthony declares his decision to go to New York on a 90-minute ESPN360 special?

The better question: is it even worth the risk.