NBA Rumors: Top 10 Landing Spots For Carmelo Anthony
As the Feb. 24 trade deadline draws near, the biggest question that still remains is, "Will Carmelo Anthony be traded?" If he is, where will he land?
Anthony has given every indication that he has no interest in remaining in Denver long-term, and he can leave the Nuggets at the end of the season via free agency.ย Furthermore, it has been reported that Anthony has made it clear that the only team he will sign an extension with is the Knicks, only complicating matters further.
So, the Nuggets are faced with a tough decision.ย
Do they give in to 'Melo and trade him, and if so, to where?ย There aren't many teams that would agree to a deal if he refuses to sign an extension with them, so that can limit the number of teams that would be interested in him.ย
The Nuggets may have to go in to take-what-you-can-get mode, pulling the trigger on the best offer available, rather than risk losing Anthony for nothing.
Finally, they could choose to hang on to 'Melo, likely holding on to their playoff spot with him, and hope that Anthony has a change of heart and decides to sign an extension with them.ย From everything we have heard, though, that is highly unlikely.
The following is a list of 10 potential landings spots for Carmelo Anthony.
1. New York Knicks
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This one is the most obvious and also the most likely to happen.
Why?
Because the Knicks want Anthony and Anthony wants the Knicks.ย It would be a perfect fit.
Now, the question facing Donnie Walsh and the Knicks is should they give up key pieces of their team right now to acquire Anthony, or just wait and bank on the fact that he will sign with them in the off-season?
The risk here is that 'Melo gets traded elsewhere this season, and gets won over by his new team.ย He then could choose to sign with whatever team that may be.ย So, the Knicks would be wise to do everything they can to trade for him this season.
The latest rumor has the Knicks sending forward Wilson Chandler to the Nuggets in return for Anthony.ย The Timberwolves are also involved in that trade, sending Corey Brewer and theirย 2011 first-round pickย to the Nuggets.ย They would receive Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry from the Knicks.
Anthony is still likely to be a Knick, but nothing is set in stone yet.ย A lot could happen to throw a fork in the Knicks' plans.
2. Dallas Mavericks
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The Mavericks are one of the few exceptions when it comes to teams not willing to trade for Anthony if he refuses to sign an extension with them.
The reason for that exception is Mark Cuban, who will do anything to improve his team and their chances at a championship this season.
The problem for the Mavericks is that they don't have much to give up in return for Anthony.
Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd aren't going anywhere. This much we know.
The Mavericks best offer would probably include the expiring contracts of Caron Butler, who is out for the season due to injury,ย and DeShawn Stevenson, rookie Dominique Jones and their 2011 first-round pick.
3. Chicago Bulls
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The Bulls could be a player for Anthony because they have some quality assets they could move.
The Nuggets would be interested in center Joakim Noah, but up until this point, the Bulls have said that he is not available.
If the Bulls change their minds and decide to pursue 'Melo, they would be able to make a better offer than most.ย A package of Noah, Luol Deng and one or two first-round picks(Bulls have twoย first-roundersย in 2012)ย would likely bring them Anthony.
Chicago is also a place Anthony might consider signing with long-term.
4. Houston Rockets
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The Rockets are set up perfectly for a trade for 'Melo.
The team has over $9 million in trade exceptions, making them more financially flexible than any other team that would pursue Anthony.
The Rockets could package guard Aaron Brooks with the expiring contract of Jared Jeffries and their 2011 first-round pick in the deal.
5. Los Angeles Lakers
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One of the latest rumors is that the Lakers and Nuggets are in preliminary discussions about a trade that would send Anthony to L.A.in exchange for center Andrew Bynum.ย Denver would likely require a future pick to get this deal done.
The question is, "How much does Denver value Bynum?"ย He is only 23, but has a long history of injuries already in his young career.
The Lakers don't seem like a logical landing spot for 'Melo, but it is still a possibility.
6. New Jersey Nets
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Much of this season's first half was spent focusing on a potential trade that would send 'Melo to New Jersey.ย At times it seemed close, but in the end, it never materialized.
Then, Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov publicly ended the trade discussions, saying the Nets had no interest in acquiring Anthony anymore.
Still, they have assets.ย The original discussions were centered around forward Derrick Favors, as well as theย many draft picks the Nets have over the course of the next few years.ย The Nets also have the expiring contract of Troy Murphy that they could add to the deal.
When it comes down to it, this may be one of the best offers the Nuggets will receive.ย They would be wise to re-visit it at some point, hoping that Prokhorov was just bluffing.
7. Los Angeles Clippers
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Could we see Blake Griffin and Anthony team up?
Well, probably not.ย But wow, that would be something to watch.
The Clippers will want to keep their young core together, meaning that Griffin as well as DeAndre Jordan, Eric Bledsoe and Eric Gordon aren't going anywhere.
The Nuggets would also have no interest in Baron Davis and his massive contract, as Ty Lawson is their point guard of the future.ย
That leaves very few options.
The Clippers could package together Chris Kaman and promising rookie Al-Farouq Aminu with their 2011 first-round pick, as well as some other picks, but it would still likely fall short.
One can only hope, though.
8. Golden State Warriors
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When it comes to the Warriors, you just never know.ย It seems as though their whole team is on the trading block at all times.
However, the most intriguing name out there is Monta Ellis.ย That name alone could grab Denver's attention.
Golden State could package together rookie forward Ekpe Udoh and Ellis with their 2011 first-round pick.ย That would be a very good offer, as Ellis is one of the game's true elite scorers.
However, the chances that 'Melo would sign an extension with the Warriors are slim to none.
9. Philadelphia 76ers
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The 76ers have one of the youngest rosters in the league, and they have some intriguing pieces.
Any deal with Philadelphia would include Andre Iguodala.ย The 76ers could also include guard Lou Williams and forward Marreese Speights, plus their 2011 first-round pick.ย That would be a hard offer to pass up, especially with the prospect of putting Ty Lawson and Lou Williams in the same back court.
10. Portland Trail Blazers
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The Blazers could potentially put together a very good offer.
The team has two first-round picks in the 2011 draft.ย They could package both of those picks with Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum and the expiring contract of Joel Pryzbilla.
That would give the Blazers a core of Brandon Roy(assuming he gets healthy), LaMarcus Aldridge and Carmelo Anthony.ย
Wow.ย That would be scary for the rest of the West.
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