Denver Nuggets: Why Carmelo Anthony's Lack of Commitment Hurts the Nuggets

Carmelo Anthony is currently away from his Nuggets' teammates to be with his family following the death of his sister.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets dropped a road game to San Antonio on Wednesday night in his absence 109-103, bringing them to 16-11 on the season.

Denver is a very talented squad no doubt, but the drama surrounding Anthony and his immediate future with the team has clouded our vision of what the Nuggets can be.

Earlier this year, the Nuggets' front office made the decision that Anthony would be traded before the deadline this coming February if he didn't sign an extension with the team.

Anthony still shows no interest in re-signing with Denver and looks to be on his way out by the All-Star break.

Obviously, the Nuggets would like to get something in return for their superstar forward instead of watching him walk at season's end.

But, at the moment, the Nuggets are suffering from Anthony's lack of commitment to the team.

Regardless of what Anthony says or what his coaches and teammates say, any player who is looking to get out of a situation where he isn't happy is not 100 percent committed to his team.

Anthony's mind has probably been elsewhere on most nights and that would help to explain some of his dismal shooting efforts this season.

No one can know for sure, but if Anthony welcomes a trade out of town, then he most likely has been preparing for one, physically and mentally.

The Nuggets are still a solid team without Anthony. However that is all they are, a solid team, and not a contender out west.

Anthony makes them special, but he could hold them back if he doesn't want to be there.

Unless the trade rumors light a fire under Anthony like Amar'e Stoudemire last season, then they can only hurt his focus as well as the focus of the Denver Nuggets altogether.

At this point, a trade seems like the best move for both Anthony and the Nuggets' franchise.

Denver looks set to wave goodbye to Anthony in return for some young weapons so they may go forth with a team that is willing and committed to make a run.

Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.