NBA Trade Rumors: Carmelo Anthony Rumors and the Latest Around the League
With the February 2011 trade deadline looming just around the corner for NBA teams, trade talks have begun to heat up.
At the top of everyone's list is Carmelo Anthony, whom the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks have both shown interest in.
In order to get Anthony to New Jersey—well, soon to be Brooklyn—the Nets need a third team. Originally that team was thought to be the Cavaliers, but when talks stalled, the Nets contacted the Detroit Pistons.
The new deal has the Nets getting Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Sheldon Williams and Terrico White, which would likely make them a 2011 playoff team in the East.
The Pistons would receive Troy Murphy, Johan Petro and Quinton Ross. Obviously they would be getting the short end of the deal, but getting rid of some big salaries in the process.
Then the Denver Nuggets would receive Derrick Favors, Anthony Morrow, Stephen Graham, Ben Uzoh and two first-round picks.
If completed, the deal would be the largest in NBA history, which is why it has become so complicated and hard to complete. For the Nets, the deal also hinges on Anthony agreeing to an extension, which is not a sure bet.
The other option is to try and complete the deal with just the Nets and Nuggets. In that scenario, the Nets draft pick would have to be considered of higher value, meaning that the Nets would have to lose more games leading up to the deadline on Feb. 24th. It would also mean there would be less money owed by the Nuggets on the expiring contract of Murphy.
Other big names rumored to be on the market include O.J. Mayo and Andre Iguodala.
Mayo has drawn little interest so far, and the Grizzlies have denied he is available. However, league sources have said otherwise, and he could leave Memphis in the right deal.
The Sixers aren't exactly looking to dump Iguodala unless the price is right. If they fall out of contention by Feb. 24th, he is likely to go. The Dallas Mavericks are one team that could offer the right deal. With Caron Butler down for the season, Iguodala would give them a great defender and wing player.
Iguodala would likely thrive in an offense that did not depend solely on him. If he becomes available, expect the Mavericks to at least make an attempt to grab him.
Other teams looking to make deals are the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Portland Trailblazers.
Reportedly just about everyone on the Cavs and T'Wolves rosters are available. One rumor has Anderson Varejao and Daniel Gibson heading to Oklahoma City in return for James Harden. The Cavs are a team looking to start over and stockpile their draft picks, and Antawn Jamison is another name who might go.
The Trailblazers are looking to deal Andre Miller, but talks have slowed since the Blazers have started playing well. Miller has said publicly he does not want to be traded, but one recent rumor had him and the Blazers involved in a Nets- and Anthony-related trade.
Well, that's the latest. With the deadline getting closer I'll have another update for you next week.
