Carmelo Anthony: Five Teams That Would Be Instant Contenders With 'Melo
This Article Courtesy Of Rip City Report
Sure, you add Carmelo Anthony to the Miami Heat and you have an instant Championship.
But thats impossible.
You add Carmelo Anthony to the Minnesota Timberwolves and you've got a talented, but still bad team.
Add Carmelo to a team that has talent in place, but needs one piece to push them over the edge and you have an instant title contender.
That is what this article is about.
Which teams are one or two pieces away from competing for the ultimate goal? Well, your going to have to find out.
Keep reading for a compilation of the destinations Carmelo could go and instantly compete for an NBA Championship.
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This Article Courtesy Of Rip City Report
Atlanta Hawks
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This Article Courtesy Of Rip City Report
I have said in the past that the Hawks are a team lacking leadership within it's best players.
Joe Johnson is not a floor general.
Josh Smith lacks leadership qualities.
and so does Al Horford.
The Hawks situation really isn't ideal.
But the addition of Carmelo Anthony would give them another proven scorer and a large injection of on court leadership that the Atlanta Hawks desperately need.
A starting lineup of Bibby, Johnson, Carmelo Anthony, Josh Smith, and Al Horford would certainly be a perennial playoff and title threat and you could potentially have four players in the All-star game.
Formidable to say the least.
The Nuggets are looking to trade out east, that is no secret.
and if the Atlanta Hawks were able to put together an enticing offer, well then the Nuggets would have no reason to turn them down.
Right now, Jamal Crawford would be a great piece to include in a trade discussions.
Expiring contract, but is open to discussing a long term deal.
Relatively young, but it isn't his first rodeo.
and a proven scorer... one that isn't getting in trouble with the law.
Right now, the Hawks have the talent to be a very good team, but are still just one piece away from competing on the big stage.
Possibly even two.
Carmelo would aid the needs of the Atlanta Hawks and would be just the ticket to open up the championship window.
This Article Courtesy Of Rip City Report
Portland Trail Blazers
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This Article Courtesy Of Rip City Report
Adding Carmelo Anthony to the Portland Trail Blazers would make them favorites in the Western Conference.
Nic Batum is an excellent glue guy and a great defensive leader, but he isn't an All-Star.
A deal would almost certainly have to include some of Portland's young talent and a draft pick or two. If I am Denver, I demand Nic Batum. It would be difficult to swallow for Portland Fans, but if you can get Anthony to sign an extension, you have to pull the trigger.
Nic Batum, Jerryd Bayless, Joel Przybilla,(insert role player), and a first and second round draft pick would be fitting.
Right now, I have the Blazers as the second best team in the Western Conference.
With all of the injuries last season, and the sustained success they achieved, there is no doubt in my mind that the Portland Trail Blazers are all but ready to challenge the Lakers for the Western Conference Title.
and possibly a Magic or Heat killer.
This Article Courtesy Of Rip City Report
Dallas Mavericks
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This Article Courtesy Of Rip City Report
Dirk is in the tail end of his prime.
Shawn Marion is a shell of what he used to be.
and Jason Kidd may very well be experiencing his last years as a professional basketball player.
The time is now for the Dallas Mavericks, and if they were to acquire Carmelo Anthony they would be instant title contenders.
But it all depends on the price.
What would it take to get Carmelo in a Dallas Mavericks Jersey?
To be honest, the Mavericks have very little chance to begin with because of their existence in the Western Conference, but then again, So are the Timberwolves and Kings, two teams that are on the Nuggets "list".
The price really depends on what the Nuggets want.
Are they looking for prospects?
Cap relief and flexibility?
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Players that can immediately impact the team in the absence of Carmelo?
It really depends.
In terms of Cap Flexibility, the Mavericks have a ton of expiring contracts to offer. At one point, they had $32 Million dollars in expiring contracts at the beginning of this offseason.
If that is what the Nuggets wanted, Dallas would be more than able to put together a deal.
If Denver is looking to rebuild, well then the Mavericks have very little to offer.
Dallas could end up sending draft picks and expiring contracts to the Nuggets, but in the end, the Nuggets would essentially be trading an all-star for a first round draft selection because they already have an expiring contract in Melo'.
Not realistic at all.
On the proven players front, i'm sure Dallas could construct a deal, but it would really hurt the teams ability to contend for a Title, being that all their players are proven.
Again, this situation is unrealistic because the Mavericks are rivals, but if it were to happen, the Mavericks would be instantly prepared to challenge the Lakers in the Western Conference.
This Article Courtesy Of Rip City Report
Chicago Bulls
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This Article Courtesy Of Rip City Report
The Bulls did a lot for their team this offseason.
They missed out on the two best players in the summers free agent class, but, in my opinion, the nabbed the best option.
They may very well have the most balanced team in the NBA. In each position, the Bulls either have an option that is proven or is ready to prove themselves.
At the Small Forward position, Luol Deng is a pretty good option, but is overpaid for the 16 points he puts out per game. Carmelo Anthony would surely be an upgrade.
Heck, Luol Deng would be great trade bait for the Nuggets and would give them a scoring option right off the bat.
You can pair Deng, Gibson, and (enter role player) along with a first round selection and a trade exception, and you might have yourself a deal.
Denver would almost certainly ask for more, but in reality, what more would they want that the Bulls would be willing to give up?
Not a lot.
I put the Bulls current roster right up there with the other Eastern Conference teams, but they could surpass those ahead of them with the addition of Carmelo Anthony to their roster, allowing them to challenge the Heat for the best in the East.
This Article Courtesy Of Rip City Report
Houston Rockets
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This Article Courtesy Of Rip City Report
Everything that the Houston Rockets do, depends on Yao Ming's health.
If you add another All-Star to Houston's roster, you would essentially take that burden off of Yao, and it would make the Rockets roster ready to compete whether or not Yao is playing every single night.
and after the Rockets got rid of Trevor Ariza for Courtney Lee, Houston could use a scoring option at the three.
In terms of expiring contracts, the Rockets don't really have a lot to offer.
Draft picks and young prospects would most likely be the way to go, but even then,i'm not sure they would be able to make up a deal enticing enough for the Nuggets to accept.
Considering that they are in the Western Conference and that their trade bait isn't all that enticing.
Not sure if it is possible or not, but the reality is that if the Rockets can get Carmelo Anthony for a decent price, well then they will be contenders for the forseable future.
This Article Courtesy Of Rip City Report
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