Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors: Five Reasons This Deal Is Taking So Long

The biggest story in the West these days deals with the speculation of when Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony will be traded. It has been long considered a “done deal” by experts that he will be dealt to the New York Knicks.

The Knicks want a player of his offensive caliber, and the fans want him too. That being said, the days keep ticking by and they Nuggets and Knicks seem no closer to finalizing a deal. Just over two weeks away from the trade deadline, this situation begs the question: what is taking so long?

We at the Bleacher Report thought we should look a bit deeper into the biggest potential trade in the NBA and bring you the top five reasons that Melo hasn’t left the Mile High City already.

5. Melo Keeps Playing Outstanding Ball

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 10: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets dunks the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on February 10, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Mavericks 121-120. NOTE TO USER: User

Averaging 25 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, Carmelo Anthony continues to play at the very high bar he has set for himself over his last seven years in the NBA. He is a force on the floor, shooting over .300 percent behind the arc and averaging a field goal percentage of over .450 for both this season and his career.

He is a pure offensive juggernaut and a certain crowd pleaser, which is exactly the problem here. It is very difficult for any team’s front office to trade their best player away in the middle of the season and not end up hated by the fans.

It would be a tough decision for Denver to make, but if they want to avoid losing him at the end of the season anyway they may have to deal him just to avoid being left empty handed.

4. Quite a Few Teams (And Their Fans) Showing Interest

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 21: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets collides with Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center on January 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 107-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly a

Despite the common belief that the Knicks will get Melo when a deal goes through, several other teams would still love to have his services. The New Jersey Nets and LA Lakers are just two of the teams still surrounding courtship rumors of Anthony.

Both teams want Melo for different reasons. The Nets want him as a centerpiece for their offense moving forward. Los Angeles would love to have Melo to bolster their already rock solid offense and to have his tenacity and energy level.

Wherever he ends up he will be a huge addition to that team. For the Nuggets, the question in shopping him around is where can they get the best deal for their young star.

3. Denver Is Still in the Hunt

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 10: Arron Afflalo #6, Chauncey Billups #1 and Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets look on during a break in the action against the Dallas Mavericks during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on February 10, 2011 in Denver, Colorado

If Denver was 10 plus games out or last in their division this would be a much easier decision. Deal your star player for prospects and maybe a draft pick or two and look forward to rebuilding in the offseason.

This is not the case however. The Nuggets are second in their division, three and a half games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, and sixth overall in the conference.

Trading Melo would likely kill any small hopes of a deep playoff run this year and maybe next, which again could turn the fan base strongly against the front office in Denver.

2. Desire for Him Is Growing For Him In New York, And So Is His Price

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 16: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets puts up a shot over Amar'e Stoudemire #1 and Danilo Gallinari #8 of the New York Knicks at the Pepsi Center on November 16, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Knicks 120-118.

New York Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni is sick of the rumors, and has decided to voice his opinion about it.

During Wedneday night’s game against the Clippers at Madison Square Garden fans began chanting “We Want Melo.” The Knicks were down by 16 at the time the chant started and they eventually lost the game 116-108.

After the game, D’Antoni voiced his concern about the chant, “It’s not good. There’s no doubt about it. It affects some of the players without a doubt.”

What the chant does do however, is drive up Melo’s price. As the desire for Anthony rises in New York the Nuggets gain a bigger bargaining chip that could garner them even more value in a trade for the star player that the fans in New York are dying to see in blue and orange.

1. Anthony Says He Would Consider an Extentsion

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 10: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after fouling out of the game late in the fourth quarter after a foul on Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on February 10, 2011 in Denver

The biggest blow to any possible deal involving Carmelo Anthony was dealt yesterday when Melo said he would be open to signing an extension with his current team if he is not traded.

The big pressure in Denver to trade Anthony has been that the alternative is very bleak. If they don’t trade him and he refuses to sign with them, they walk away from the relationship empty-handed and without a star player to move forward with.

However, if Melo cuts them a break and is willing to stick around one more year to see if they can make a real push for a championship, all those trade offers—no matter how tantalizing—could fall through in a heartbeat.