NBA Trade Rumors: Carmelo Anthony to the New Jersey Nets

ESPN is reporting that the New Jersey Nets have reached a deal with the Denver Nuggets to acquire Carmelo Anthony, pending Anthony's agreement to a contract extension.

The deal also involves Chauncey Billups going to New Jersey along with spare parts, with Denver receiving Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy's contract, Ben Uzoh (who is probably included to carry everyone's luggage) and four first-round picks. 

This would be a huge get for the Nets, not only getting Anthony to Brooklyn but keeping him out of a New York Knicks jersey as well. This could be the first big step in building something big.

Chris Paul's name has immediately come up as the next rumored player to play for the Nets. If this deal goes through, I don't think you'll find anyone that thinks the Nets made a poor deal here.

The Nuggets must see something in Favors, and four first-rounders is a nice haul, as both are better than nothing, which easily could have happened if Melo just walked away in the summer. Harris is rumored to go to the Portland Trail Blazers, already clearing the way for Ty Lawson to take the reins as point guard of the Nuggets.

This would appear to open up the floodgates for the Nuggets at the trading deadline, as Nene looks like he would be the next to go, and if someone were willing to take J.R. Smith off their hands, they'd probably give him away.

This is just a tentative agreement, remember, so anything can happen. Don't be surprised if as soon as the Knicks heard this agreement, they were working on getting a key to the city for Carmelo. This deal still needs Carmelo's agreement, and if this deal goes through, it leaves the Nets with basically just him and Brook Lopez, so don't be surprised if Melo backs out.