Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors: Ranking the Best Possible Supporting Casts
Carmelo Anthony sure has been a hot commodity on many NBA trade fronts over the past several weeks. Will the four-time All-Star finally be traded out of Denver?
Judging by how many countless rumors have been swirling around the front office of many teams, one would certainly think so. Of course anything can happen between now and the Feb. 24 trade deadline, but let's predict if he will in fact be traded this month—where will he go?
Some of the teams that have been rumored to be interested in the former first round draft pick (third overall in 2003) will look to bolster their team already in playoff contention, while others hope to build around Anthony with younger players with high hopes of great potential.
Which team offers Carmelo Anthony the best supporting group of players? They are the players who have not only been the cornerstones on their respective teams, but will make the Nuggets star even better if traded to them.
Here are the top 10 potential supporting cast members that Anthony has a chance to play with, (if or when) he is officially traded from the Mile High City.
9. Golden State Warriors
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Potential supporting cast: Stephen Curry and David Lee
While they haven't been in the spotlight like many other teams, the Golden State Warriors are still a team that could very well enter trade discussions for Carmelo Anthony in the upcoming weeks.
The Warriors (23-29) have a good core of players together that would definitely welcome Anthony to their already solid supporting cast. From guard Monta Ellis, to the former Davidson star Steven Curry, to former New York Knicks forward David Lee, Golden State has the pieces in place to become a great team for many years to come.
The only problem for the Warriors would be who to package in the Carmelo deal back to Denver, as the Nuggets have been rumored to be interested in both Ellis and Curry. Golden State does hold a first-round draft pick that could also become very attractive in a trade with the Nuggets.
Even if the Warriors would give up either Ellis or Curry in the trade (more than likely it would be Ellis), Carmelo Anthony would still slide right into a surrounding and easily make Golden State a better all-around team.
8. New Jersey Nets
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Potential supporting cast: Brook Lopez and Devin Harris
Once rumored to be the favorite landing spot for Anthony, the New Jersey Nets have quickly faded from the Carmelo sweepstakes, thanks in large part to Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov shooting down the many trade scenarios that would bring the Nuggets star to Jersey.
Yes, the Nets are just 16-37 on the season, but why shouldn't they bring in a superstar like Anthony? Even if their plan of luring LeBron James into town did not work out this past summer, they hope to change that this upcoming free-agent period.
With a trade to New Jersey, Carmelo Anthony would pair up with two of the better younger players in the game in center Brook Lopez and point guard Devin Harris. Anthony would give the Nets the kind of player they have been looking to add for a while, since completely dumping salaries to lower their salary cap.
7. L.A. Clippers
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Potential supporting cast: Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon
ESPN's Bill Simmons thinks an Anthony deal to the Clippers would work. Do you?
He claims if the Clippers offer the Nuggets center Chris Kaman, rookie forward Al-Farouq Aminu, their expiring contracts and the rights to the Minnesota Timberwolves 2012 draft pick, L.A. could wind up with both Anthony and teammate Al Harrington as well.
While this could realistically work, would Denver pull the trigger on the trade?
If in fact Carmelo could wind up in a Clippers uniform, what a young supporting cast he could end up sharing the ball with, in second year guard Eric Gordon and arguably the NBA's best young star, Blake Griffin, averaging 22.6 points and 12.6 rebounds per game in just his first season.
If I'm L.A., I find a way to make it happen—and fast.
6. New Orleans Hornets
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Potential supporting cast: Chris Paul and David West
This potential destination for Anthony may be a little more difficult to pull off, but it is definitely still worth noting. With Chris Paul's pending free agency in 2012, it certainly is a strong possibility that Carmelo will join the Hornets superstar wherever he signs this offseason.
There is a realistic possibility that if New Orleans could pull off a trade with Denver before the trade deadline, it would not only team up two of the NBA's best players, but it also would likely keep Paul in The Big Easy for the next few years as well.
Not only would Anthony pair up with the face of the Hornets, but also veteran David West, who has been everything New Orleans could ask for over the past couple seasons.
It's do or die time for the Hornets (32-22), as they could realistically see their window of opportunity close when Chris Paul hits the free-agent market. Adding Anthony would put an end to all the unanswered questions and keep New Orleans a contender for a long time.
5. Dallas Mavericks
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Potential supporting cast: Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd
There is no other possible destination for Carmelo Anthony than a team like the Mavericks. Currently holding a record of 37-16, if Dallas were to add Anthony, it would add yet another veteran presence to a team that already has so much experience.
With the expiring contracts of Caron Butler and DeSean Stevenson on their side, Dallas could unload both players and possibly their young rookie, Rodrigue Beaubois in exchange for Carmelo and also Al Harrington as well.
With the Mavs, Anthony would team up with not one, but two 10-time NBA All-Stars in Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd. Talk about the places this team could go.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has also said he wouldn't be against renting the Denver All-Star for just the rest of the season. That could prove to be a very smart move when it is all said and done.
Fans should definitely keep a close eye on Dallas.
4. Atlanta Hawks
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Potential supporting cast: Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Mike Bibby
While they haven't officially entered trade talks with the Nuggets about Carmelo Anthony, the Atlanta Hawks could very well be considered another dark horse to keep watch for in upcoming weeks.
Atlanta with a 33-19 record, have been one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference in recent years. Anthony could be a very big piece of the puzzle that would likely put the Hawks over the top, something they have been searching for a while now. Atlanta's Jamal Crawford is definitely someone Denver would be interested in any trade with the Hawks.
With a relatively young team still at hand, Anthony could fit in very well with point guard Mike Bibby, forward Josh Smith and guard Joe Johnson, averaging 20.1 points and 5.4 assists per game. Carmelo in the end would solidify the Hawks with four above-average players in the starting lineup, which is something not many teams cannot say in the NBA.
Adding Anthony in my opinion, would put the Hawks in the same category (if not better) as the Eastern Conference leading Miami Heat.
3. New York Knicks
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Potential supporting cast: Amare Stoudemire and Raymond Felton
Carmelo Anthony's favorite destination would take him to the Big Apple, to team him up with the big No. 1 Amare Stoudemire. The only problem is who New York would have to trade in order to get their former Syracuse star. It is rumored Denver likes Knicks forward Danilo Gallinari, currently averaging 16.1 points per game this season.
While New York maybe unwilling to give up their potentially young star, the Nuggets will probably more than likely hold out for the Italian native.
If the Knicks did add Carmelo though, what another nice supporting player cast he would be going to. Not to mention the possibility of Chris Paul or even Orlando Magic's superstar Dwight Howard possibly bolting to Madison Square Garden in 2012.
And you thought the bright lights of New York couldn't get any brighter. If New York's hometown player comes to town, look out.
2. Chicago Bulls
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Potential supporting cast: Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Carlos Boozer
One team that could potentially become a dark horse in a trade for Carmelo is the Chicago Bulls. With a legitimate playoff team already in place, the Bulls would have the possibility to take the next step forward if the Nuggets star is traded to the Windy City.
It is believed Denver would be interested in Bulls small forward Luol Deng and Chicago's first-round draft pick. So, why Chicago?
The Bulls have arguably the best player in the Eastern Conference in Derrick Rose and a nice cast of supporting players around him. Rose, the former 2008 first-round pick, is averaging 24.7 points and 8.2 assists per game this season, which has easily put himself in the running for MVP as well.
With Carmelo Anthony in Chicago, there is no doubt a strong possibility the Bulls will represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals this June.
Miami who?
1. L.A. Lakers
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Potential supporting cast: Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol
I can't think of a better supporting cast of players for Carmelo Anthony, than if he teamed up with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol in L.A.
Not only would he make the 37-16 Lakers an even better team, but it would only cost Los Angeles just Andrew Bynum in a trade to get him. Now, it has been speculated that the Lakers shot down a trade that would send Bynum to Denver, but we are still two weeks away from the trade deadline so anything can happen.
Kobe and Melo.
Melo and Kobe.
Three-peat? Oh, I think so.
