NBA Trade Rumors: Carmelo Anthony to Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Bobcats?
The Carmelo Anthony trade saga is destined to head into the year 2011. It seems each week new trade scenarios emerge as teams become desperate to improve as the season wages on.
As players and management become increasingly unhappy with their current situations, the more rumors will begin to circulate.
Portland, Houston, Charlotte and Minnesota appear to be in heavy pursuit of making a trade very soon. Even Memphis appears willing to part ways with some of their underachieving young talent.
Which players could be switching teams in the near future?
Stephen Jackson to Chicago Bulls
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Any team can use an all around great veteran like Stephen Jackson. He is a very good scorer and defender. The Bulls would be lucky to nab a player of Jackson’s caliber.
The problem is, how would they be able to pull off such a deal?
Perhaps Michael Jordan would like to get younger and swap Jackson for Luol Deng. Deng has failed to reach his full potential in Chicago, maybe a change of scenery would be beneficial.
Would the Bulls even want to part ways with Deng? Would they be able to convince Charlotte that a package involving James Johnson and Ronnie Brewer would improve the Bobcats overall?
O.J. Mayo to Chicago Bulls
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It has been reported that Mayo is not happy coming off the bench in Memphis.
Justified.
Mayo is a great talent and deserves to start in the NBA.
The Bulls need to increase their scoring potential, although they do need to acquire a center with Joakim Noah out.
Mayo would be a great fit for Derrick Rose’s slashing ability and court vision. Mayo would be able to spot up behind the arc and shoot away.
Although the talent may not match up, Memphis may be interested in acquiring Ronnie Brewer, who would be willing to accept being a role player, which is what Memphis needs if they hope to make the playoffs.
O.J. Mayo to Minnesota Timberwolves
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Mayo was once on his way to Minnesota but the Timberwolves traded him for the rights to Kevin Love.
Minnesota is in desperate need of another scorer as they attempt to revive the franchise behind Love.
O.J. Mayo would be a perfect fit for the team. He would be able to start and take as many shots as he pleases. Mayo, Love and Michael Beasley would make a great core to build around, especially with Ricky Rubio expected to join the team next year.
The Wolves could send either Corey Brewer or Martell Webster to Memphis.
Yao Ming to Cleveland Cavaliers
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Not many have interest in Yao Ming because nobody knows how much he’ll be able to play in the future. He does have an expiring contract though, which isn’t even the most attractive asset surrounding Yao.
Cleveland was hit hard with LeBron James leaving. Since Yao Ming is such a force in China, Cleveland may be able to increase revenue by acquiring Yao.
Houston is desperately trying to improve and Yao Ming won’t help anymore.
Antawn Jamison and Joey Graham or Jamario Moon would be a great start for the Rockets.
Johnny Flynn to New York Knicks
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The Knicks are looking for a spark off their bench. Toney Douglas simply isn’t cutting it.
Ideally, the Knicks want Ricky Rubio from Minnesota. They’ll have to settle for Flynn.
Flynn is a nice talent and would be able to give Raymond Felton much needed rest.
A major problem with Mike D’Antoni’s system is that he relies too much on his starters and they fatigue in the spring. Flynn would be a nice addition to the Knicks roster.
If the Knicks can’t get a first rounder for Anthony Randolph, perhaps a switch would be reasonable.
Andray Blatche to Orlando Magic
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After trading away Marcin Gortat, the Magic desperately need a backup to Dwight Howard. Blatche is not an ideal backup, but he is a very good player with a great mid range game. He can rebound and in the East will still be able to play solid defense. Even better, Howard and Blatche would be able to play on the court at the same time.
With Jason Richardson on board, Quentin Richardson becomes disposable.
The Magic could also afford to trade Ryan Anderson since they would be acquiring Blatche, who does just about everything better than Anderson.
Marcus Camby to Orlando Magic
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This trade is far more far-fetched than the rest. Still, the Magic need to find a backup for Howard. The best center that may be available for Orlando is Marcus Camby. He would add great depth and is one of the best defensive centers in the game. In the East, the combination of Camby and Howard would be lethal. It remains to be seen if Camby wants to be traded, but perhaps he would be willing to go to a true championship contender.
The trade would be difficult for the Magic to pull off. They would have to part ways with Quentin Richardson and Chris Duhon, which Portland may not even want to take back. Orlando may have to include J.J. Redick to meet salary demands and since Redick has improved each season, they may not want to get rid of him.
Andre Miller to Charlotte Bobcats
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It doesn’t seem like anybody is unavailable in Charlotte.
Portland appears to be actively looking for trade partners for Andre Miller.
Charlotte could send young point guard D.J. Augustin and Nazr Mohammed to Portland in exchange for Miller and Rudy Fernandez.
With Portland’s history of their centers becoming injured late in the season, Mohammed will represent insurance for the Trailblazers. Fernandez was unhappy in Portland in the offseason and will be able to move on until he becomes a free agent in two years.
Portland gets younger at the point while Michael Jordan gets a veteran point guard to lead his team.
Carmelo Anthony to Houston Rockets
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Rumor has it the Rockets are in “win-now” mode and are aggressively trying to upgrade their team. They’re even willing to trade for Anthony and let risk him walking following the season.
Denver would ideally want an expiring contract for Anthony, which Houston has in Yao Ming. The addition of Yao would help Denver revenue-wise for the rest of the season since Yao Ming is so popular overseas.
The Rockets may also have to take back Al Harrington and his contract. In order to make the deal happen, the Rockets would most likely have to part ways with Jared Jeffries and Jordan Hill.
Carmelo Anthony to Charlotte Bobcats
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Michael Jordan is desperate to improve his Charlotte Bobcats.
So much so that he may be willing to blow up the team to acquire Carmelo Anthony for as little as half a season.
How would Jordan be able to swing such a deal?
The Bobcats could send Gerald Wallace, Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw to Denver for Anthony, Al Harrington and J.R. Smith.
This is a fair swap and would keep Denver competitive in the West still. The Nuggets would still have a solid core to build around and Diaw comes with a $9 million expiring contract. If things don’t work out for Denver, Wallace and Jackson come off the books in two years.
