Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors: Ranking Melo's Likeliest Destinations
I might die from shock if you some of you haven't heard Carmelo wants out of Denver, so we'll just get right into it.
For the past few days rumors of a potential three team deal sending Melo to the Nets and other pieces being moved to Detroit and just a very complex deal.
Here are a couple tweets by multiple reporters on the Melo deal:
Chris Broussard "NJ's changed parameters of deal several times but nothing to Den's liking yet. NJ leaving for 4-game road trip tomorrow & all players going"
"Deal definitely not dead, but they ain't "on the 10-yard line" anymore."
Now a few from Chris Mannix of SI:
"As Nets and Pistons wait, Houston is quietly trying to get back into the Anthony chase. Sources say Rockets have talked to Denver recently."
"One source warned nothing was close with Houston. But Rockets GM Daryl Morey has made no secret of his desire to acquire stars via trade."
"Rockets have long thought that the longer talks with Nets/Knicks dragged on, they might have a shot at getting back in."
"These Melo talks are like a season of 24. Every time you think it's resolved, a new twist/character comes out of the woodwork."
Of course you can't forget about Dallas, Orlando and maybe even the Clippers
6. Orlando Magic
1 of 8
Orlando made the first block buster trade of the year when they got Gilbert Arenas and Jason Richardson. Do they have another blockbuster in them? Adding another star to their already impressive lineup and depth would further confirm their legitimacy as a championship contender.
Orlando would be higher but I just don't think they have the resources to go out and get him, it'd have to be a multiple number of trades and I just think it's way to complicated for Denver to have any interest and close to impossible for a deal to get done.
I tried for about five minutes and gave up on the ESPN trade machine trying to make a trade but you guys can try and make one and post a link below.
Chances Melo is in Orlando by the deadline: Slim to none.
5. Los Angeles Clippers
2 of 8
Blake Griffin needs another star player on his team, Carmelo Anthony definitely fits the bill. Carmelo wants a big market? I can't think of to many larger markets than Los Angeles. Wife needs a big city for her work? Again, not to many cities bigger than Los Angeles.
The big problem point though is Los Angeles doesn't have to many assets Denver would be interested in... You can bet Blake Griffin is untouchable and I really find it hard seeing them trade Eric Gordon. But if they do they have a chance at Melo, but not a big one.
Chances Melo is a Clipper by the deadline: Slim to none, but not as slim as Orlando. (If that makes sense)
4. Dallas Mavericks
3 of 8
With Caron Butler out for the season and Dirk still sidelined with his knee injury, the Mavericks need some help. Dallas is a team who is a championship contender without Melo and adding him to an already stacked roster would further deepen there legitimacy.
But some problem points like the two teams before them on this list, they don't have very many assets Denver would like. Other than Caron Butler contract and maybe Rodrigue Beaubois there really isn't to much there.
Chances Melo is in Dallas by the deadline: Slim.
3. New York Knicks
4 of 8
Surprised to see them not top 2? I mean who else could be there besides them and the Nets? Well we'll move on to that later.
The Knicks are Melo's favorite destination, everyone knows it. It's every players dream to play under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. Melo really, really wants this to happen.
But there's a problem... Denver, to say the least, does not find anything New York has to offer very attractive. But who can blame them? I mean who would want Eddy Curry, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Landry Fields for Melo and Al Harrington... There are plenty more attractive packages Denver can pursue.
It's really not a smart move for Denver, but they did just threaten New Jersey to trade him there so anything can happen. But if Melo ends up in New York, I'd expect it by free agency way more than by trade.
Chances Melo is a Knick by the deadline: 20%-30%
2. Houston Rockets
5 of 8
Yep the Houston Rockets, most recently they were said to be Denver's plan B if things don't work out with New Jersey. Houston is a solid team at this point, but like usual dealing with injuries. Melo would immediately make them playoff contenders and be a definite problem to any team they play in the playoffs.
Melo fills the big void of clutch/go to scorer in close games. The Rockets record doesn't tell the whole story, they lose a lot of games through the late stretches of games, giving up large scoring runs to the other team and not scoring much themselves. Melo would solve this problem.
The Rockets have the assets with lots of young players and cap relief. Yao's contract provides 8 million dollars insurance and is expiring, Denver really likes Luis Scola and guys like Aaron Brooks, Chase Budinger, Jordan Hill, Patrick Patterson are young players with plenty of potential.
Chances Melo is in Houston by the deadline: 30-40%
1. New Jersey Nets
6 of 8
Were you expecting someone else? New Jersey has easily been the most aggressive team in pursing Anthony over the past couple weeks.
They really almost had him till Denver decided they were going to take their time in deciding about this deal. It would send Melo, Chauncey and Rip Hamilton to New Jersey, Derrick Favors to Denver and of course lots more moving parts but those are just the big names.
But no more than 20 minutes ago, Chris Broussard tweeted "Den, NJ, Det could be working feverishly for nothing. Sources say Melo has never told anyone, not even his reps, he's willing to sign in NJ". It looks like this deal might be falling through the floor again, even if Melo said he would sign an extension, Jersey is growing very impatient and is not liking Denver's relaxed attitude about this.
Denver also threatened New Jersey they would trade Melo to New York if they didn't keep these talks on the down low.
Chances Melo is in New Jersey by the deadline: 50-60%
Who's on The Rise?
7 of 8
On this slide I'm just going to tell you who's likely to become more involved in the rumors and more likely to acquire Melo.
Orlando: I don't really expect them to get into the race for Melo and I think just about everyone would agree here. They are on the decline in the Melo race.
Los Angeles: You can bet they want to have a shot at Melo, but odds are they don't. They too, are on the decline.
Dallas: Dallas is desperately in need of another star, losing Butler really hurt them. Expect them to get more active in the coming weeks, on the rise.
New York: There's not much they can do, they have their offer on the table and now they just sit, wait and hope. Expect them to stay steady for the next few weeks.
Houston: Houston is being aggressive and are willing to take Anthony without him saying he'll sign an extension. They could overtake New Jersey if Denver grows impatient with the Nets. Definitely on the rise.
New Jersey: New Jersey is the most aggressive, they are trying so hard to get a deal done and Denver is breaking their hearts. I expect this deal to fall through like the other one, you can blame Denver. They might be on the decline, these next few days will tell us that.
Conclusion
8 of 8
Alright guys thanks for checking out my article, hope you enjoyed it.
Leave you're thoughts down below about the Melo rumors and how you think each team would fair with him.
You can shoot me an email at jameschmidt1@gmail.com to talk Rockets or just anything basketball.
You can also follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/James_Schmidt1.
(A little off topic, but...) Go Pack Go!!
