NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Players With The Most On The Line In Carmelo Anthony Trade
The NBA trade deadline is now just eight days away, so the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes are, one way or another, about to end.
However, Anthony’s influence doesn’t end with his own trade. Across the league, other deals hinge on what happens to Denver’s star, and other players are holding their collective breath to find out which chips will fall where.
For simplicity, this article will address only two possible destinations for Carmelo: he stays put, or he goes to New York for a package resembling the Nuggets' latest proposal (Anthony and Chauncey Billups for Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, another Knick starter, Eddy Curry and a first-round pick).
All players actually part of the trade are excluded from consideration. Read on for the 10 other players most interested in learning which version comes true.
10. Devin Harris, PG, New Jersey Nets
1 of 10
If Carmelo Anthony lands with the Knicks, he’s a virtual lock to sign an extension there. However, if Denver keeps him, the door is left open for other teams to make a move during the offseason.
The Nets were originally on Anthony’s list of preferred destinations, and new owner Mikhail Prokhourov could make a big splash by signing Anthony.
Adding ‘Melo to the New Jersey roster would be the world’s best gift for Harris, a talented PG in his prime who would be set for years of feeding one of the game's top scorers.
It’s a low-probability outcome, but it’s still better for Harris and the Nets than the certainty of facing Anthony in a Knick uniform for the foreseeable future.
9. Anthony Randolph, F, New York Knicks
2 of 10
For almost anyone else, the possibility of being sent to the woeful Timberwolves (as Randolph would likely be if he isn’t included in the ‘Melo package) would be a dire one. But Randolph (seen here as a Warrior last season) isn’t playing under Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni. Any move that gets him more minutes and more chance to develop is a blessing.
If the Anthony deal falls through, Randolph could still wind up in Minnesota, but it’s much less of a sure thing.
8. Zach Randolph, PF, Memphis Grizzlies
3 of 10
At this writing, the Grizzlies are sitting a tiebreaker or two away from a playoff spot in the Western Conference. An Anthony trade would leave the Nuggets (currently the conference’s eighth seed) in turmoil, leaving the door wide open for Memphis to make the postseason.
No one stands more to gain from such a scenario than Zach Randolph, who will become a free agent after the season. A strong late-season/playoff performance could do wonders for his spotty image, and make him millions of dollars on the open market.
Of course, he could also be traded to a contender himself, making the whole point moot.
7. Ty Lawson, PG, Denver Nuggets
4 of 10
Lawson has a lot riding on the Anthony trade, but how his future plays out won’t be obvious even when the trade deadline passes.
If the trade goes through, Lawson loses a mentor in Chauncey Billups, robbing him of a great learning opportunity. On the other hand, the trade would leave Lawson and fellow Tar Heel Raymond Felton as the Nuggets new point guards, and Felton has yet to prove that he’s a sure-fire NBA starter. One good off-season from Lawson, and he could be starting in 2011-12.
6. Luis Scola, PF, Houston Rockets
5 of 10
Nuggets center Nene, the NBA leader in field goal percentage, is likely to be moved in the event of an Anthony trade. The Rockets, who have been looking hard at other big men on the trade market, could well snatch him up if the price is right.
For Luis Scola, the only Rockets post player scoring in double figures, adding Nene would mean a lot fewer double teams and a lot less pressure to be at the top of his game every night.
5. Brandan Wright, PF, Golden State Warriors
6 of 10
Another likely Nene trade scenario involves the Golden State Warriors, who have been sniffing around after the Nuggets' center. Though the current Warrior big men, including Wright, have said that they could score more if the coaches gave them a chance, management appears to think Nene would be a better answer.
No one has more to lose by such a move than Brandan Wright, a still-developing talent who would be pushed even farther down the depth chart.
4. Al Harrington, PF, Denver Nuggets
7 of 10
With all the talk of the Nuggets shipping out veterans if Anthony leaves, Harrington’s name isn’t getting mentioned. In all probability, no team would be terribly interested in trading for the 12-year vet.
That would leave Harrington as the senior remaining player on a Nuggets team that, even in the best case, will likely be feeling its way forward with a revamped roster for a season or two. Assuming Anthony is traded, Harrington will probably never see the playoffs again.
3. Chris Paul, PG, New Orleans Hornets
8 of 10
If Denver starts dismantling the roster, SG J.R. Smith will likely be on the market, and the Hornets have expressed a strong interest in the high-scoring guard.
Without an Anthony trade the Nuggets wouldn’t move him, but if the trade goes through, Chris Paul won’t have to rely on Willie Green as his starting 2-guard anymore. The Hornets, already sitting fifth in the Western Conference, would strengthen their hand with the playoffs approaching.
2. Derrick Rose, PG, Chicago Bulls
9 of 10
The other major suitors for J.R. Smith are Derrick Rose and the Bulls. The Bulls, of all the teams likely to be affected by the 'Melo fallout, are the most realistic Finals contenders.
Smith is one among many shooting guards Chicago would like to add to the roster, but could be the best deal depending on how cheap the Nuggets’ fire sale turns out to be. Rose would love to have a three-point gunner like Smith starting next to him.
1. Amar'e Stoudemire, C/PF, New York Knicks
10 of 10
Perhaps the most obvious beneficiary of the trade besides Anthony himself, Amar'e Stoudemire could, paradoxically, have the most to lose if it goes through. The upside for Stoudemire is obvious: he'd get a superstar running mate and the Knicks would immediately be in contention to reach the Finals, if not to win them.
On the other hand, Anthony has repeatedly expressed his interest in playing for the Knicks. If Denver fails to trade him, it’s entirely likely he’ll end up in New York next season anyway, without the Knicks giving up anything. Say what you want about a bird in the hand, but if the Knicks are reasonably sure that Anthony wants to join them, trading for him could actually be a serious mistake.
