Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors: How Would Nets Starting 5 Compare To Rest of East?
The biggest trade in NBA history is on the cusp of happening.
'Melo didn't sign the Nuggets contract extension in the summer and the two sides have come to the realization that this marriage needs to end.
The New Jersey Nets have emerged as the likely destination for 'Melo ever since the Pistons agreed to be the third party in this discussion.
The Knicks and Carmelo want each other—but the Nuggets don't want anything to do with the Knicks' trade bait.
The proposed trade will send Anthony, Richard Hamilton, Chancey Billups, Nuggets guard Anthony Carter and forward Shelden Williams to the Nets.
The Nuggets will receive two first round picks from the Nets, point guard Devin Harris, rookie forward Derrick Favors, guards Anthony Morrow, Ben Uzoh, Stephen Graham and Quinton Ross.
The Pistons will get Nets forward Troy Murphy and center Johan Petro.
The Nets will instantly upgrade their scoring. But how much better will the team be?
ESPN's John Hollinger sums up the idea of Carmelo Anthony to the Nets perfectly:
"It's pretty much unprecedented for an elite player to force his way off an elite team and onto a lottery squad."
Here are the Eastern Conference power rankings with Carmelo and Hamilton as New Jersey Nets.
15. Cleveland Cavs
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This team is proving LeBron James' point. He played on a team that now has the worst record in the league without him.
The Cavs have lost 18 of their last 19 games since LeBron returned to the Q.
When it rains it pours as Anderson Varejao tore his ankle tendon last week. The surgery will end his season.
Varejao, the Cavaliers' best defender, averaged 9.1 points and 9.7 rebounds this season.
14. Washington Wizards
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John Wall has had his ups and downs in his rookie season.
He is averaging 15.4 points a game to go along with 8.8 assists. But he has missed 11 games due to injury and has proven to be a work in progress with his ability to take care of the ball—averaging almost four turnovers a game.
The Wiz are a solid 9-8 at home. Too bad they are 0-18 on the road.
13. Detroit Pistons
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The Pistons are involved in the 'Melo trade strictly for cap relief. It's obvious the team is going nowhere and opening up cap space will provide hope for next season.
Letting go of Rip Hamilton will hurt this year and the team will sorely miss his leadership and experience. The Pistons want to unload the remaining two years and $25M on Hamilton’s contract.
Acquiring Troy Murphy and Johan Petro is not the answer. But Murphy's expiring contract will be a big help for the Pistons.
This trade is for the future of the Pistons franchise and the 2010-2011 squad will suffer because of it.
12. Toronto Raptors
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What a boring season in Toronto. After being spurned by Chris Bosh the team has been stuck in a rut all season.
The defense is atrocious, allowing over 105 points a game. Jose Cauldron has never blossomed into the role he was expected to be in. He is averaging a solid 7.9 assists a game, but his 10 points a game leave a lot to be desired.
Reggie Evans may snag over 12 boards a game, but how does he only put in four points a game? He's out for another month with a foot injury. Peja Stojakovic is sitting next to Evans with a knee problem. He has only suited up for two games with Toronto.
This is a very forgettable season for the Raptors.
11. Milwaukee Bucks
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A disappointing set back after a breakthrough playoff appearance last season.
Brandon Jennings may be averaging a shade under 18 points a game, but he is shooting a woeful 39 percent.
The defense has actually been better than last season, but the offense has taken a nose dive. The Bucks are currently last in the NBA in scoring—averaging 91.3 points a game.
Acquiring a veteran scorer would do wonders for the Bucks.
10. Indiana Pacers
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Roy Hibbert's on-court problems are really starting to effect him mentally.
Hibbert, who has been mired in a six week slump, said he is going to meet with a sports psychologist at some point this week.
"Going to talk to somebody is not perceived as a bad thing anymore," Hibbert said, "Other players have done it, and the way things have gone, it has taken a toll on me."
Hibbert is an essential piece of the Pacers, but is shooting 34 percent (54-of-158) from the field in the past 13 games.
9. Charlotte Bobcats
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It seems as if firing Larry Brown was the right choice to make for the Bobcats.
Team leader Steven Jackson said Sunday "we needed a change" after starting 9-19 under the only coach to win a NCAA and NBA championship. The Bobcats have gone 4-2 under interim coach Paul Silas.
Jackson said players "didn't agree with what was going on" with Brown, who led the Bobcats to the franchise's first playoff appearance last season.
Translation: The Bobcats want to run and Brown wasn't allowing it.
8. Philadelphia 76ers
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The 76ers have rebounded nicely after starting the season 3-13.
They have gone 10-8 in their last 18—certainly good enough for a spot in the playoffs in Eastern Conference.
Jrue Holiday has emerged as a solid starter in this league and Evan Turner seems to be getting better by the day. Thaddeus Young and Lou Williams look to have bright futures as well.
This team is on the rise and could be a tough out by April.
7. New Jersey Nets
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What's the solution to improve an offense that is 29th in the NBA, averaging 91.9 points a game?
Adding Carmelo Anthony's 23.8 points per game would certainly help.
We will assume Chancey Billups demands a buyout and never plays a game with the Nets.
Richard Hamilton may be creeping towards his mid-30s but he is a proven scorer that has never suited up with a player with 'Melo's ability.
With defenses focusing on Anthony when he has the ball, expect Hamilton to thrive in his usual role of a slasher that runs off of screen after screen.
Melo gets a chance to play with a deadly shooter that can spread the floor for him.
Hamilton and Melo will join Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries to form a starting five that should have a shot of making the playoffs in the East right away.
The tandem will have about a three to four year window to take advantage of the weaker conference and the fat checkbook of their owner. The team's move to Brooklyn in 2012 will be enticing for free agents.
6. New York Knicks
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Basketball is back in the Garden and Amare Stoudemire is making a case for MVP.
He has rejuvenated a beaten down fan base, averaging 26 points, nine rebounds and 2.4 blocks a game.
Raymond Felton has been incredible since being freed from the Bobcats, putting up over 18 points and almost nine assists a game.
Mike D'Antoni has been pulling all the right strings and the Knicks are poised to make the postseason for the first time in seemingly decades.
They may not land 'Melo, but that could be a blessing in disguise as they really don't need the one thing 'Melo does exceptionally well—putting the ball in the basket.
New York is first in the NBA in scoring and 28th overall in defense.
The Knicks need help getting stops and Carmelo isn't going to help.
5. Atlanta Hawks
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Talk about a team stuck in neutral. The Hawks are destined to be a four or five seed and flame out in the first round yet again.
Outside of the outstanding year by Al Horford (16 points, 9.6 rebounds), this team is the same as last year's version with the only difference being the heavier pockets of star Joe Johnson.
Fun fact from ESPN's stats and information:
Mike Bibby is enjoying his best season from beyond the arc, making 49 percent of his three point attempts. It puts him on pace to post a percentage over 40 from three point range for just the second time in his career.
4. Chicago Bulls
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The Bulls received a huge confidence boost when they beat the Celtics by double digits on Saturday.
Derrick Rose has emerged as a true All-Star in his third season as a Bull. His 24 points and eight assists are great, but it's his leadership and emotion that have jumped by leaps and bounds this year.
The Bulls have been dealing with key injuries all year and have still been able to stay in the elite of the Eastern Conference.
When Joakim Noah returns...watch out for this dangerous Bulls squad.
3. Boston Celtics
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The Celtics are in cruise control and are about to get some more help. Kendrick Perkins has been traveling with the team and expects to make his season debut at some point soon. Kevin Garnett is also close to returning.
Rajon Rondo has been a dime machine—dishing out over 13 assists per game for the team that leads the NBA in assists per game at 24.6.
They have been pounded on the glass—only grabbing 38.7 a game—which is 29th in the league. Perkins should help change that.
As the dog days of the season roll along, so do the Celts.
2. Orlando Magic
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The mega trade for Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu and Gilbert Arenas has paid off immediately.
The Magic have currently ripped off nine straight wins including victories over the Spurs, Celtics and Mavericks.
Richardson is putting up just under 14 a game for the Magic and has benefited from playing with the force that is Dwight Howard.
Turkoglu has revisited his role as a point-forward and is averaging 6.5 assists a game during his second stint with Orlando.
Arenas has averaged 10 points a game as he settles into his new role as sixth man. He has been a model citizen for the Magic and he seems to be as focused as he's been in the past four seasons.
This team has a ton of talent and proven NBA scorers. The trade has done wonders for this team and I expect them to be right in the thick of things for Eastern Conference supremacy.
1. Miami Heat
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We all knew it was bound to happen sooner or later.
The Heat are on fire and the team chemistry is building by the day. The big three are learning how to play together and the results are not good for the rest of the league.
LeBron James is starting to hit on all cylinders as he regains his MVP form.
After averaging just 23.7 points and shooting under 44 percent from the field through the end of November, LeBron has improved each month.
In December and January, LeBron is shooting over 50 percent and his scoring average has risen to 25.3.
To the surprise of nobody, the Heat have gone 15-1 in December and are 5-0 in January. The team is as dangerous as there is right now and the big three have quieted their critics in a big way.
