NBA Rumors: How Does Carmelo Fit With Potential Trade Destinations?
Carmelo Anthony is one of the best players in the NBA, and it seems that he has drank the kool aid like many other of the leagues brightest stars this off-season. A chance at a championship has proven to be too much for Anthony to ignore.
Playing with other superstars is seen as necessary if you want to chase a ring, and Melo is trying to jump on the bandwagon. I believe Carmelo Anthony being traded to create another big three could be disastrous, as explained in my article about the precedent set by the superteam in Miami.
I believe once three or four superteams our created the NBA could start to see negative effects. Small market teams will have no chance, and it will create a talent gap throughout the NBA. First Bosh and Wade, then LeBron, now Carmelo. Who's next?
Let's take a look at Carmelo's current options and breakdown each choice.
6. New Orleans Hornets
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There is no doubt Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony would form a dominant combo on the court, but there are a couple reasons why I think New Orleans isn't going to end up with Anthony. Let's first note that the Hornets have said they are willing to do whatever it takes to keep CP3 happy with the Hornets.
The first reason I believe Anthony is not going to end up in New Orleans is that Anthony will probably want to play in a big market. Apparently him and his wife want to go somewhere where there are plenty of opportunities for endorsements and exposure, but New Orleans cannot provide the endorsements or the nightlife that LA or New York City can provide.
Second, Carmelo Anthony is not going to want to play for a team that only won 37 games last season, especially if they have to give up good players to get him. The Hornets are in financial trouble, but they don't even have a good team in place.
The final reason Melo won't be headed to New Orleans is that the Hornets don't really have enough to offer the Nuggets. They can get much more for Anthony than what the Hornets have to offer. If the Knicks were to offer Gallo, Wilson Chandler, Eddy Curry, and two first round picks, that is worth more than the entire Hornets roster.
I believe the Hornets are simply trying to show Chris Paul they are actively making an effort to improve the team. I think they know they aren't going to get him, but they have to show some signs of life or Chris Paul won't be around for long.
5. New Jersey Nets
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The New Jersey Nets were an interesting team heading into the off-season. They had a top five pick, a ton of cap room, and a Russian billionaire for an owner. Mikhail Prokhorov was supposed to come in and turn the Nets around. Him and part owner Jay-Z got just a little too confident, and it caused them to lose out on every big name free agent. When plan D fails, you're in trouble.
The Nets' pitch this year was the global image. Although LeBron didn't buy it, maybe Anthony will. If Melo wants to become an international superstar, the Nets might be a good choice.
The good news for the Nets is that they have the talent necessary to execute this trade. They have plenty of young talent. Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, Terence Williams, and Derrick Favors are all solid prospects. They could also offer a nice package of picks to go along with a few talented players.
The problem is that if Carmelo were to go to New Jersey, he would be taking a step backwards. The Nuggets without Melo are better than the Nets. Why would he leave Denver for a significantly worse team? It really wouldn't make sense for Carmelo to play in New Jersey if we wants to win rings.
4. Orlando Magic
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The Orlando Magic are a team that might actually make sense for Carmelo. Orlando is a big market which is preferable, it also is right across the pond from "the three kings" down in South Beach. If Melo landed in Orlando, Heat Magic could develop into one of the most intense rivalries in the NBA, as they would arguably be the two best teams.
Playing with Jameer Nelson, Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard, and Vince Carter (assuming none of them are involved in the deal) would create a team that would immediately vault Orlando into the top three in the NBA, if not higher.
Although it seems like the perfect match, there are some issues with Carmelo going to Orlando. First, Orlando doesn't really have any money. Any deal involving Anthony would require the salaries to match up according to the league rules. Orlando doesn't really have much flexibility, so a trade with Orlando would be problematic from the beginning.
Second, the Magic don't have great trade pieces. The other day I was reading something on ESPN.com that said that if the Magic were to make a deal with the Nuggets it would likely be Chris Anderson and Carmelo Anthony for Mickael Pietrus, Marcin Gortat, Brandon Bass, and a pair of first round picks. Pietrus is a sixth man, but Gortat and Bass combined for just 26 minutes a game last season. These are guys that can't even get off the bench. You also have to assume those picks are going to be from 28-30.
All things considered, I believe the Magic simply don' have the pieces to acquire Anthony. It's an interesting thought, but it just doesn't seem realistic.
3. Los Angeles Clippers
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I realize the Clippers weren't exactly the top choice on every free agents list this summer, but I think they could be a solid option for Carmelo for quite a few reasons.
First, his wife has suggested that living in Los Angeles would be towards the top of her list. As I mentioned earlier, endorsements and exposure are very important to Carmelo and his wife, so naturally, Los Angeles is going to be worth a look.
The Clippers have everything necessary to complete a deal for Carmelo.
The Clippers have been stocking up on talent through the draft, and have plenty of good young players. They could also put together a nice package of picks although they have already traded their 2011 first round pick to the Thunder. They do have a future Timberwolves pick, which could be used as well.
No one is the NBA is high on owner Donald Sterling, but if Carmelo can look past that the Clippers are solid. They have a new coach, with great young players, in a great city. Many people are used to the Clippers being a bad team, but I believe they are potentially just one piece away depending on the performance of Blake Griffin. Melo could be that piece. The Clippers should get better and better every year, and with Carmelo on the team, Los Angeles could become a popular destination.
Melo going to LA also creates another interesting rivalry. The Lakers have dominated the Clippers for the better part of the last decade, but the Lakers aren't getting any younger, and the Clippers seem poised to grow substantially in the next five years. A competitive Clippers Lakers rivalry would be fun to watch. I don't know if Los Angeles is Carmelo Anthony's best option, but I think it is one that he should definitely consider carefully.
2. Houston Rockets
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The Rockets are an interesting team in this equation. They just dumped Trevor Ariza's salary, and many thought it was part of a bigger operation. Well, this sounds pretty big to me. The Rockets made a weak attempt to try to steal Chris Bosh, but when that didn't happen they had to start planning their next move. The Rockets are a good team, but with Carmelo, they could really be dangerous.
Houston has been in the thick of this news story for a while, and I think they actually have a shot at getting Melo. They already have a good team in place. Yao Ming says he will be back for the first game of the season, with Ming the Rockets are immediately back into the playoffs, and depending on Yao's performance, maybe even home court advantage. Carmelo is going to want to play for a good team, and if the Rockets get him they will be the big favorites in the southwest division, and maybe even the western conference.
Houston can also offer him something none of his other suitors can, that is no state income tax. Anthony has expressed interest in Houston not having to pay state income tax, thus saving him a ton of money. This could be key in a deal for Anthony.
Houston may not have the best trade pieces, but they do have some solid options. The one that make the most sense to me is potentially Kevin Martin, Kyle Lowry, and Jared Jeffries (6.8 million dollar expiring contract) along with two first round picks for Carmelo. Anthony isn't going to fall right into your lap. Any deal that would be accepted by the Nuggets is going to have to be a really good one. The Nuggets certainly aren't going to give him away. They are going to do this right.
Overall I think Houston has a good chance of obtaining Anthony. He wants to play there and they have the resources to make it happen. An opportunity to trade for a player of Anthony's caliber doesn't come around every day, and the Rockets are going to have to take advantage if they want to bring home a ring this year.
1. New York Knicks
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I don't think anybody is surprised to see the Knicks at number one. Everybody knows New York has been going after Melo right from the beginning and I believe they have the best chance of anyone to make a deal for him.
The New York Knicks have not been successful over the past few seasons, but I think that is about to change. Along with Amare Stoudemire, the Knicks have a good group of talented young players. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind the Knicks can make the best trade package out of anyone.
The Knicks have Toney Douglas, Wilson Chandler, Gallo, Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike, Bill Walker, and Eddy Curry's expiring contract. If the Nuggets want to maximize Anthony's value they will make a deal with the Knicks. Rumors have been swirling about a deal that would include Curry, Gallo and Wilson Chandler as well as a first round pick for Anthony. No team can beat that.
We also have to take into account that New York City is a great destination for pro athletes. Not only is it a great place for young people to live, but if Melo wins a championship in New York he will be immortal. The thing is, winning a championship is very realistic if Melo goes to NY, especially if CP3 follows. Even before CP3 is there, they will have Raymond Felton, Amare Stoudemire, and whoever doesn't get dealt for Anthony. They will have a solid core that should be able to secure home court advantage in the eastern conference playoffs.
New York is also in a good position financially to take on Anthony. They have room for another guys with a maximum deal, which means they could easily take Anthony's salary on, and the Nuggets could kind of pick their price.
I don't think getting endorsement deals is going to be a problem in New York. Melo and his wife will get all the exposure they could ever want.
So in short, the Knicks have a solid roster, plenty of people to trade for Anthony, extra money, a great city to live in, and potential immortality. What else could you possibly want?
Carmelo Anthony has so many different options. If he knows he wants to leave Denver, there are plenty of options on the table.
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