Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors: Why the Nets Can't Deal Without a New Contract

Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors are reaching a fever pitch as the news surrounding his possible exit from Denver continues to swirl.

The latest as of last night was that Anthony has not told anyone he'll sign the extension to make the proposed deal work, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard. According to the report, it doesn't mean the mega-trade that would send 'Melo to the Nets is dead, but it does cloud things up a bit. 

For all intents and purposes, the Nets need Anthony to sign the deal to make it work and protect themselves in this trade. Here are 10 reasons why the Nets can't make the deal without a new contract.

10. Nets Getting Fair Value From Denver

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 5: Nene #31 of the Denver Nuggets shoots over DeAndre Jordan #9 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 5, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloa

Denver has all the leverage in this trade, and it's showing. The Nuggets are the ones holding it up and also the ones who are now asking the Nets or other teams to take Al Harrington's four-year, $28 million contract off their hands. For the Nets sake, they need to make sure that they get fair value and a fair shake from the Nuggets, which would mean making sure they can secure Anthony long term.

9. The Chauncey and Rip Show, Or Possibly Just Rip

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AUBURN HILLS, MI - APRIL 29: Chauncey Billups #1 of the Detroit Pistons high fives Richard Hamilton #32 after his third quarter basket while playing the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs

Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton were a great combination when they were in Detroit. But that was a while ago and Hamilton especially has aged. If the Anthony deal goes through and he doesn't sign the extension, the Nets are left with Billups' contract (assuming he doesn't ask for a buyout) and Hamilton's contract as well, which has at least two years at $12 million-plus a year. That's a good amount of money for two aging players.

8. How Much Is Anthony's Agent Influencing Him?

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 05: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets fights to drive through Baron Davis #5 and Ryan Gomes #15 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 5, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

The Nuggets may be making the deal, but Leon Rose seems to be calling the shots. Rose is Anthony's agent, and according to reports he's the one who set up for Anthony to be paired with Billups and Rip Hamilton in New Jersey. Obviously Billups I can understand, but Hamilton at this stage of his career? Either way, Rose has been very influential so far, and one has to wonder if that will play a factor later on.

7. Does Anthony Want To Be In New Jersey?

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All this talk about whether or not Anthony really wants to sign the extension could be a sign that Anthony really has no desire to go to New Jersey. Now, if the deal falls through, then it's a moot point. But that's also a lot of money due to a man who doesn't really want to be there if the Nets make a trade. Combine that with acquiring Billups and Hamilton, and that's a large salary commitment.

6. Hard To Sell Another Rebuild

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NEW YORK - MAY 19: New Jersey Nets Owner Mikhail Prokhorov and Communication Director Ellen Pinchuk addess the media during a press conference at the Four Seasons Hotel on May 19, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

The Nets have tried to forge a foothold in the New York market for years, and have a small but devoted fanbase. If Anthony doesn't sign that extension, it will be hard for the Nets to sell to their fans that they have to rebuild and restock yet again.

5. The Looming Knickerbockers

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 5: A fan anticipating a possible impending trade wears a New York Knicks jersey with the first name and number of Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the game withthe Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on Januar

Of course, the dark horse in all of this are the Knicks. Denver has already threatened to back out of the Nets deal and trade him to the Knicks if the Nets don't play ball, and it's not a secret that Anthony would want to play for the Knicks. Watching Carmelo walk away in the summer without an extension and walk right to the Knicks would be a huge blow to the Nets.

4. The Move To Brooklyn

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BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 18: Bruce Ratner President and CEO, Forest City Ratner Companies speaks to the media at a press conference announcing a 20-year naming rights deal of the Barclays Center January 18, 2007 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Th

Yes, it's going to happen eventually. The Nets will move into the brand-new Barclays Center in Coney Island and become the Brooklyn Basketball Team To Be Named Later. Losing out on Anthony won't keep the Nets in the Prudential Center, but the repercussions from losing Anthony or not keeping him long-term would be a tough way to go into the relocation.

3. Bye-Bye CP3?

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If you look at all the reports about the trade, one thing that keeps coming up is the Nets' desire to land another big name star in free agency down the line, namely Chris Paul in 2012. The Nets came up empty last summer and would definitely be active this summer as well, and losing out on a name like Anthony or having to re-negotiate for him in the open market would make a big dent in their plans and possibly cost them a big-name free agent.

2. Nets Protecting Their Investment

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The Nets are giving up the most in the trade in terms of actual numbers with Devin Harris, Derrick Favors and others going back to Denver in the deal. If Anthony doesn't sign and then leaves after the trade, it's the kind of trade that could set a franchise back years. The Nets should know that, lest we forget the trade the Nets pulled off to get Vince Carter a few years ago.

1. Nets Need To Ensure They Can Keep Carmelo

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 05: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 5, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 106-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowle

The bottom line is that the Nets need to make the trade to protect their own interests. If Anthony doesn't sign the deal and is traded, what's keeping him from going into free agency and choosing his own suitor? In that case, the only chance the Nets would have to win with Anthony would be this year, and even in the East, the Nets aren't making the playoffs this season.