NBA Trade Rumors: New Jersey Nets Make Push for Carmelo Anthony

The New Jersey Nets stepped up their efforts to try and acquire Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets this past Tuesday. New Jersey gave up Joe Smith and former first-round pick Terrence Williams in order to receive a 2012 lottery protected first-round pick from Houston to go with the Los Angeles 2011 first-round pick.

The Nets apparently have ignored Anthony's comments that he will only sign a contract extension if he is traded to New York. Having five first-round picks in the next two drafts will certainly provide the Nets the ability to make an irresistible offer to Denver, especially with the highly touted Derrick Favors in the mix. 

If the Nuggets had a choice between what the Knicks can offer and what the Nets can, the choice would be easy; New Jersey has the pieces to make a more competitive offer that would help jump start Denver's rebuilding effort. 

But 'Melo's unwillingness to sign a contract extension could force the Nuggets to give into the superstar's wishes and ship him to the Big Apple. 

'Melo is clearly ready to take his talents elsewhere, but doesn't want to head into next season, with the labor uncertainty, without a contract extension. 

Denver is in a position of no power in this situation because of Anthony's firm stance on wanting a trade. The closer the trade deadline approaches, the more the realization will set in for the Nuggets' organization that if they don't trade him, he will walk at the end of the year—ultimately meaning that Denver would lose its best player for nothing.

The Nets are desperate for a franchise superstar, with owner Mikhail Prokhorov leading the charge to make a big splash. Now, all Prokhorov has to do is come up with a LeBron-esque recruiting pitch to try and change Anthony's mind about signing an extension with the Nets.

The upcoming move to Brooklyn would be a good start. ''Melo was born in Brooklyn and lived there throughout his early childhood. Returning home, joining a young and talented team, and revitalizing a franchise must hold some interest for 'Melo.

But as long as Anthony maintains his desires to become a Knick, the Nets will remain powerless unless they are willing to take a chance on renting him for the rest of the season, which would buy Prokhorov and company extra time to try to convince Anthony to resign. 

It would be a high risk/high reward move that could cripple the Nets for years to come if the move didn't pan out.

New Jersey has made its play for 'Melo; the ball now rests in his court.