Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors: 10 Teams That Could Use Melo in the Summer of 2011
Carmelo Anthony is one of the top players in the NBA. As of late, he's become the most desired player in the league. A slew of teams have inquired about Melo, including the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets.
Clearly, Melo wants out of Denver. Even the fans seem to be fed up with him and his demands. Melo no longer wants to be the leader of the Denver Nuggets.
A plethora of teams want Melo, without a doubt. Only one, though, will be able to obtain his services. The deal could in fact happen this year before the trade deadline, but likely will take place in the offseason.
Even if he's a problem at times, who wouldn't want a player of Melo's caliber as their star? Could you imagine if he went to New York, the media capital of the world? How about in New Jersey, where he'd attempt to help rebuild a floundering franchise?
Here are 10 teams that could lure Melo their way.
Dallas Mavericks
1 of 10
The Dallas Mavericks are an elite NBA team, but have problems succeeding in the playoffs. Adding Carmelo Anthony could help them in that department. Melo and Dirk Nowitzki running the court could be a lethal combination.
In having Anthony and Nowitzki, plus a handful of other talent, the Mavericks could take the West. This would be hard for them to pull off though, as they don't have much wiggle room financially.
Dallas is still significantly behind interstate rival San Antonio and needs to leapfrog them before season's end. The Spurs just don't lose though, as they're currently 34-6.
For the amount of talent that they have on this team, Dallas is not scoring enough. They're 21st in points per game with 96.9.
Miami Heat
2 of 10
This makes sense if the Heat can unload a hefty contract or two (preferably Chris Bosh). Miami comes as advertised with a 30-12 record and some of the best players in the world. Adding Carmelo Anthony certainly wouldn't hurt, the only foreseeable issue being that there is only one basketball.
Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony. That would surely be a team that would be virtually impossible to defeat. Chances are though, the Heat won't be able to afford Melo. The only way possible would be if they started to clean house to free up money.
The challenge for the newly reformed Heat will come in late May. Likely, not definitely, they will be facing the Boston Three Party in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.
New Jersey Nets
3 of 10
New Jersey has remained active in the Melo Sweepstakes to date. Along with the New York Knicks, they've been one of the odds-on favorites to acquire Anthony.
While the Nets may not be all that appealing to Melo, they've feverishly inquired about him. How would a team that's 20 games under .500 look to a player of Melo's caliber, after all?
Had they gotten the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft, there wouldn't be any issues, as John Wall would be a Net.
Credit new Russian owner Mikhail Prokhorov for taking chances.
New York Knicks
4 of 10
New York may be a tad overrated by the media, but they remain right in the thick of things in the East. Amar'e Stoudemire has led a renaissance in New York and is getting heavy MVP consideration because of it.
The Knicks have wanted Melo more than any other NBA team. He would be an ideal fit in New York and could help get them over the hump and possibly deep into the playoffs.
Melo would be perfect for Mike D'Antoni's fast-paced, breakout offense. The Garden would be wowed by Melo, just as they were last month when the Nuggets came to town. The Knicks have adopted D'Antoni's style and run with it, literally.
Chicago Bulls
5 of 10
Chicago has been one of the most consistent teams all season and remains near the top of the East. If they were to trade for Melo, they might be able to overcome the Heat and Celtics in the playoffs.
Unless they break down, the Bulls should win their division running away. Even with the mounting injuries that they've had, they are still a force to be reckoned with.
When this lineup is at full health, they are among the best in the East. Unfortunately though, they haven't been healthy this season.
Simply put, the Bulls are still missing that one dominant scorer (Melo).
New Orleans Hornets
6 of 10
Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony would create tons of highlights together. Melo is one of the premiere scorers in the NBA, and likewise for CP3 as a passer.
At the beginning of the season, the New Orleans Hornets looked to be an elite team, but have since fallen off. Even at nine games over .500, they find themselves at third in their division and sixth overall in the West.
They would certainly be fun to watch in New Orleans if Melo were a part of the team.
Since Trevor Ariza hasn't gone according to plan, they're still looking for a true No. 1 scorer.
Oklahoma City Thunder
7 of 10
Oklahoma City would love to pair Carmelo Anthony with Kevin Durant. They're a very good young team and are heading in the direction as is. Melo just adds another dimension to the team, giving them two elite players.
The Thunder are low-key for now and only have a couple big names (Durant, Russell Westbrook.) That's just how they like it though, but Melo wouldn't hurt either.
OKC is just on the outside looking in of the true elite NBA teams. They are definitely not far away though.
Phoenix Suns
8 of 10
The Suns have turned around for the worse this season. In 2009-10, they nearly went to the NBA Finals. They even won 54 games last season. Now they are a disappointing team that's 11.5 games behind the Los Angeles Lakers in the Pacific Division.
Not even Steve Nash can save this team from utter damnation. They haven't been able to cope with the loss of Amar'e Stoudemire.
The talent just isn't there anymore in Phoenix. Their chances to win an NBA Title are long gone. For what it's worth, Nash-to-Melo would be exciting.
Atlanta Hawks
9 of 10
Joe Johnson's immense contract hinders the Atlanta Hawks for quite some time. They already have four consistent scorers, but need to make an impact now.
Their window is closing, as things will only continue to become increasingly difficult for them. They're sort of handcuffed financially and may regret the Johnson contract. It gives them little, if any room to acquire more players.
They play in a tough Southeast division, but they still ought to be contenders. They're only 3.5 games behind Miami and are looking to make a push. Carmelo Anthony could be a big part of that if they trade for him this season.
Indiana Pacers
10 of 10
Indiana has turned heads this year and is still very young. The Pacers are currently sitting at seventh in the East and could make some noise in the playoffs.
Danny Granger is very solid, but can't do it all by himself. Eventually, Granger will need some help—could that come in the form of Carmelo Anthony?
Having the luxury of two top scorers like Granger and Anthony would really be beneficial to the Pacers.
