New Jersey Nets: Possible Trades to Acquire Melo
Early this morning, it was reported by Adrian Wojnarowski that the New Jersey Nets have ramped up talks with the Denver Nuggets in an effort to acquire Carmelo Anthony.
However, the trade is dependent upon the Nets acquiring more talent in order to compete now so they can get Carmelo to sign an extension. It also mentions the fact that there are other partners in the deal that remain unclear.
There have been rumors that Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets is the other player the Nets want to get their hands on.
Another player that has been rumored to be on the market is OJ Mayo.
Below, are the possible ways the Nets can acquire both Melo and either CP3 or Mayo:
Option No. 1 (executed simultaneously like the moves the Magic made)—
New Jersey receives: Carmelo Anthony, Keith Bogans
Denver receives: Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy, Luol Deng, James Johnson, pick from NJ, pick from Chicago
Chicago receives: JR Smith, Chris Anderson, Al Harrington
The Nets gets the man they want and only give up one pick.
The Nuggets get a replacement for Melo in Luol Deng, young talent in Favors and Johnson, an expiring contract in Murphy, and two picks.
Plus, they get rid of two bad contracts in Anderson and Harrington.
The Bulls get depth at center at a time its needed since Joakim Noah is out for awhile. They also get two shooters to open the court for Rose, including one they've been trying to get a hold of for awhile—JR Smith.
New Jersey receives: Chris Paul, Malik Allen
New Orleans receives: Devin Harris, JJ Redick, Rodrigue Beaubois, Dominique Jones, DeShawn Stevenson, Kris Humphries, Daniel Orton, Alexis Ajinca, pick from NJ
Dalas receives: Trevor Ariza, Emeka Okafor
Orlando receives: Brendan Haywood
The Nets gets the man they want.
The Hornets get a replacement in Harris, a plethora of young talent and expiring contracts, while simultaneously ridding themselves of the poor contracts in Ariza and Okafor.
The Mavericks rid themselves of the unhappy Haywood for better defense in Ariza and Okafor—Money is never a problem in Dallas.
Finally, the Magic get the replacement for Gortat they currently seek.
Nets rotation—
Point Guard: Chris Paul, Jordan Farmar
Shooting Guard: Anthony Morrow, Sasha Vujacic
Small Forward: Carmelo Anthony, Damion James
Power Forward: Malik Allen
Center: Brook Lopez, Johan Petro
The bonus about these trades is the fact that the Nets only give up two of their five first round picks in the next two years.
They'd be able to draft the PF they want in this upcoming draft. However, there is a very good chance that Troy Murphy or Kris Humphries gets waived after the trade (since they are expiring contracts) and could be resigned as a free agent.
Option No. 2
New Jersey receives: Chris Paul, Monta Ellis, Carmelo Anthony, Al Harrington
Denver receives: Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy, Dan Gadzuric, two picks from NJ
New Orleans receives: Devin Harris, Anthony Morrow, Damion James, two picks from NJ
Golden State receives: JR Smith, Travis Outlaw, Kris Humphries
The Nets gets the players they want and then some.
The Nuggets gets Favors and two picks with expiring contracts.
The Hornets get a replacement in Harris with some young talent and two picks.
Golden State turns Ellis, who never seemed like a good fit next to Stephen Curry, into depth. This prevents Charlie Bell, Rodney Carney, and Vladamir Radmanovic from being in the rotation. It also saves them some money in the long run.
Nets rotation:
Point Guard: Chris Paul, Jordan Farmar
Shooting Guard: Monta Ellis, Sasha Vujacic
Small Forward: Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Graham
Power Forward: Al Harrington
Center: Brook Lopez, Johan Petro
Going this route would rid the Nets of all their picks but one. However, it would also provide a much more potent lineup—at least offensively. Once again, it wouldn't surprise me if the Nuggets were to waive Troy Murphy and give the Nets a chance to get him back (if he and Avery can get over themselves).
Option No. 3
New Jersey receives: Carmelo Anthony, OJ Mayo, Mike Conley
Denver receives: Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy, Luol Deng, two picks from NJ
Chicago receives: JR Smith, Chris Anderson, pick from MEM
Memphis receives: Devin Harris
The Nets get the players they want.
The Nuggets and Bulls get the packages they want.
Memphis rids themselves of drama (Mayo) and a poor contract (Conley) in return for an All-Star caliber Point Guard.
Nets rotation:
Point Guard: Jordan Farmar, Mike Conley
Shooting Guard: OJ Mayo, Anthony Morrow
Small Forward: Carmelo Anthony, Sasha Vujacic
Power Forward: Kris Humphries, Travis Outlaw
Center: Brook Lopez, Johan Petro
The Nets retain three of their picks as well as some depth at PF. If they had full faith in Jordan Farmar, this trade has a lot of potential down the road.
This article is not to state any of these trades are in the works but to show what type of surrounding talent Carmelo wants in order to sign an extension and what it would take to get it.
The Nets have the assets. We'll see what they get with them.
