Carmelo Anthony: Can the NBA Handle Another Decision?

When Lebron-a-thon 2K10 ended in July with his signing with the Miami Heat, most people thought that would be the end of big-time drama coming from the NBA this offseason.

Boy were we wrong.

Though he hasn't publicly stated it due to the chance of being fined, Denver Nuggets' star forward Carmelo Anthony wants out of the Mile High City, according to several sources close to the league.

Still under contract with the Nuggets, the team would have to trade its superstar knowing full well that they will not receive equivalent talent in return.

Anthony is set to become a free agent following the 2010-11 season, though a looming lockout could pose threats to Anthony receiving the type of money and long-term contract he wants.

NBA commissioner David Stern is hoping that a lockout can be avoided, however, by reaching a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Players' Association. One of the key aspects that Stern wants to see implemented in the next CBA is shorter contracts worth less money being handed out to players.

With that in mind, it makes sense that Carmelo would want to secure a long-term contract worth as much money as he can get before gaudy contracts become a thing of the past. Apparently, the 3-year, $65 million contract extension that has been offered by the Nuggets is neither long enough nor worth enough money.

So before Carmelo bolts from the Nuggets next summer, scrambling for a new contract before the potential lockout takes effect while the Nuggets receive nothing but a large credit in their bank account, it makes sense that they be scouring the trade market.

Entering his eighth season in the NBA, 'Melo is very much in his prime.

He is coming off of a season in which he tied his career-high in minutes per game, and was a mere 0.7 points away from his highest season scoring average, pouring in 28.2 points per game in just about every manner a player can score. 

Though the Nuggets' freshly hired (within the past week) General Manager, Masai Ujiri, has stated that keeping Anthony in Denver is his top priority, it would not make sense to keep an uninspired player around at a time when he trade value is at a maximum.

But you can't blame Ujiri for trying: losing the franchise's best player ever is not exactly what you want your first move in office to be.

If indeed Anthony is traded, the Nuggets will immediately go from Western Conference contender into rebuilding mode quicker than you can say "'Melo."

But what about the NBA as a whole?

That depends on where he ends up.

Various media outlets have thrown out the Knicks and the Rockets as two of the more likely destinations, should Anthony indeed be traded.

Either of these teams seem to be a good fit for Carmelo, as they are desperately in need of a franchise player who can score at will.

Both of these teams have been scorned by Tracy McGrady, a poor man's Carmelo, and would be willing to shell out the big bucks (as well as some expendable players) to bring in such a prolific scorer.

Anthony as a Knick or a Rocket would not be too detrimental to the NBA, as either team would still be playing second (or perhaps third) fiddle to the Lakers in the West and the Heat in the East, while teams like the Magic or the Trail Blazers might still be able to defeat an Anthony-led team in the playoffs.

The real problem would arise in the unlikely case that this summer's consolidation of power continues, and the Nuggets were to reach a deal with a team like the Heat or the Lakers.

Such as LeBron James' decision to team up with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in Miami has effectively diluted the Eastern Conference down to a 14-team battle for second place, if Anthony winds up on an already star-studded team, the NBA would become boring and monotonous.

The chances of that happening are highly unlikely, at least from this author's perspective.

So while Anthony leaving the Nuggets will leave the team in a multi-year rebuilding mode, the NBA overall should be able to weather the storm of another superstar trading his previous jersey for another.

The No. 1 priority for Commissioner Stern should be, and likely is, reaching a new collective bargaining agreement with the Players' Association.

Meanwhile, Anthony seems to be more focused on getting out of Denver than winning a championship, as the Nuggets present a better chance of winning a title than either of his proposed destinations. 

'Melo is not the first player to value high contracts and gaudy scoring numbers more-so than a championship, and he certainly won't be the last.

While James' highly publicized announcement nearly brought the league and its fans to their knees, Anthony's inability to comment on the situation should keep this issue from breaking the NBA.