Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors: 10 Signs That He's Mentally Already Gone
Carmelo Anthony trade rumors have been going steady since the summer but have picked up recently with the report that Denver is looking to trade him even without an extension.
The Nuggets are off to a so-so start this year and there's been a lot of focus around Carmelo and his commitment to the Nuggets since media day. Inside are 10 signs that he's already mentally out of Denver and onto what he believes are greener pastures.
Any thoughts or comments? Make sure to leave them below.
No. 10: Missed Playing Time
1 of 10
Last night, everyone, including the Boston Celtics, thought that Carmelo Anthony would be in the lineup.
However, once the ball was thrown up, Anthony was on the bench in street clothes. He told the media that his knee just didn't feel right and that he didn't have explosiveness on it because of a flu bug he caught as well.
To me, it sounded like he might be milking the injury a bit. He didn't look like a man who was in a real rush to come back.
No. 9: Lack of Emotion
2 of 10Look at this game-winning shot against Chicago earlier in the season.
Have you ever seen anyone less excited to have hit a big shot in their life? There's no joy, just emotionless play from Anthony. It's almost like a robot hit that shot for the Nuggets. Anthony seems to have no attachment after that shot.
His teammates are much more excited about it than him.
No. 8: Won't Sign an Extension
3 of 10
The Denver Nuggets have had an extension on the table for Carmelo Anthony for months.
It's been sitting there collecting dust ever since, and it's clear that Anthony is not going to commit to the Nuggets any time soon. Let's be honest, Denver is a great city, but it's not the city for Anthony and he's looking elsewhere.
He can't commit on the dotted line and is already thinking about a new deal elsewhere.
No. 7: Always Talking about the Future
4 of 10
For a guy that said he was there to be a Denver Nugget and help the team win basketball games, Carmelo Anthony has a nasty habit of talking about the offseason.
Anthony even commented on it last night, talking to ESPN's Lisa Salters about wanting to keep his options open heading into the offseason and all of that. You just can't be focused on the present when you're looking forward to a big pay day.
It's just not a good look to be constantly addressing questions about it. Brush it off and move on.
No. 6: Denver Gave Up
5 of 10
Most recently in this whole saga has come the revelation that Denver is willing to trade him without the extension.
It's clear that the Nuggets have learned from Toronto and Cleveland's mistake of having faith in its superstar returning to the team. Denver obviously believes that Anthony is gone the second he gets a chance and wants to get something for him.
If Denver is throwing in the towel, it's clear he's not on board with the Nuggets.
No. 5: Talking about Other Teams
6 of 10
It seems like any time Carmelo Anthony gets the chance to talk about other teams, he takes it.
The Chicago Bulls have been one of the teams mentioned as being interested in Carmelo Anthony and these quotes from the time really tell the whole story.
"I don't want to say this in the wrong way and then you all take it...but anybody would love to play with a guy like Derrick Rose," Anthony said to the media. "A young point guard, young star, get the ball up and down the court. He's improved his game every year. You got a young big man in [Joakim] Noah. You got [Carlos] Boozer, right now Boozer's hurt, but they've got a good team right now."
Not only that, but he went on to talk about the city of Chicago itself.
"Of course, what MJ [brought] to the city. Just the city itself, being a big city, the fans out here and just the historic value of basketball here," said Anthony. "Everybody knows what Chicago basketball's about."
I'm sure that didn't sit well with some fans out there who would like to remind him that he's still a member of the Nuggets and should remember that instead of eying up other teams. The best part is how he says he doesn't want to say it the wrong way, and then says it the wrong way. Smooth.
No. 4: Trade Demands?
7 of 10
Earlier this summer, it was reported that Carmelo Anthony asked to be traded out of Denver.
If a guy is asking to be traded, only to come back to have to play for that team, it's not a good bet that he's going to really want to play for the team. Asking out is a great sign of him just saying he's had enough and that he wants to be somewhere else.
He's denied demanding a trade but where there's smoke, there's fire.
No. 3: Media Day
8 of 10
At media day, Carmelo Anthony could not have sounded less enthused to be with the Denver Nuggets.
"I'm here today," Anthony told the media. "Whatever the future holds, it holds. I'm leaving my options open right now.
Man, I'm sold. Let's go out and buy a Carmelo jersey right now! It was almost like a deadbeat dad finally showing up and saying, "I'm here, aren't I?" Give me a break.
It's so clear that he won't be with Denver after this season. I hope Nuggets fans have realized that. I'd hate to see good fans get crushed by his departure.
No. 2: Fixation on New York
9 of 10
With the reports of Denver trying to move Anthony without the extension, there came some news about New York.
Anthony has been described as being fixated on the possibility of playing with the Knicks, and that's why teams like New Jersey have given up on trying to trade for him because there's no point. The man is obsessed with playing for the Knicks.
If he's fixated on New York, his mind certainly isn't in Denver right now.
No. 1: Wedding Toast
10 of 10
This summer, Carmelo Anthony got married and at the reception, Chris Paul made a toast.
He toasted to himself, Carmelo and Amar'e Stoudemire all playing in New York together. Why in the world would Anthony pass up the chance to play with two complementary players in the greatest city on earth? That's his goal right now, not being a Denver Nugget.
He's just not with the Nuggets right now. He's with himself and only himself.
