Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors: 10 Reasons Melo Should Say Yes to the Nets
After months of trade rumors, the latest and greatest rumor is that the New Jersey Nets and Denver Nuggets have finally worked out a deal that would send Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey. The only catch is that Anthony needs to agree to a three-year $65 million extension before the deal can be completed.
The alleged deal has Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Sheldon Williams, Melvin Ely and Renaldo Balkman going to New Jersey, while Denver will be receiving Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy, Ben Uzoh and four first-round picks from New Jersey.
Rumor has it that the Nets front office and Carmelo Anthony are expected to meet during the all-star break to discuss the extension.
So if this offer really exists, why would Melo accept it? Here are 10 reasons why Carmelo Anthony should sign the extension and go play for the New Jersey Nets.
10. Jay-Z
1 of 10
Jay-Z might only be a minority share owner of the Nets, but he is an owner nonetheless. Don’t you think it would be cool to play for one of the best rappers of all time? I sure do, and I bet Melo feels the same way.
Jay-Z doesn’t have too much say in what the Nets do, but he is a good representation and figurehead for the franchise. If Jay-Z can get a chance to talk to Anthony, I see a deal going down.
9. Mikhail Prokhorov
2 of 10
The Russian billionaire is fast becoming one of the most popular owners around the league. He is currently the 39th richest man in the world (according to Forbes) and has the reputation as one of the greatest businessmen on earth.
If Prokhorov plays his cards right, he could make himself seem like the George Steinbrenner of the NBA, going the distance to make his team the best in the league no matter what the cost. That has to be appealing to Carmelo Anthony. Why would you not want to play for an owner that has bottomless pockets?
8. Nets Fans Vs. Knicks Fans
3 of 10
Which fans would you rather play in front of every night? This doesn’t seem like too hard of a decision.
Anthony has spent his whole career in Denver, a city where he was never booed at. Denver fans treated him well. In New York, they might not be quite as forgiving as people were in Denver.
Knicks fans are notorious for being overly demanding of their star players. Melo might not want to put himself in this position in New York.
New Jersey fans might be a little more critical than Denver fans, but they are nothing like the lunatics in Madison Square Garden. Going to New Jersey is safer when it comes to dealing with the media and fans.
7. Too Many Big Egos in New York and LA
4 of 10
The two other possible trade destinations for Anthony have been New York and Los Angeles. Both of these teams have some of the biggest egos in the NBA.
The Lakers have Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest and Lamar Odom. While the Knicks have Amar’e Stoudemire and Mike D’Antoni, I am not sure if there is room for Melo on either of those teams.
In New York specifically, I don’t think that Amar’e wants to play with another big star. One of the reasons he left Phoenix was so he could be “the man” on a team. In Phoenix, he was always considered Steve Nash’s sidekick. I don’t think Amar’e would be willing to do this again with Carmelo in New York.
6. Brook Lopez
5 of 10
In New Jersey, Carmelo Anthony would already have a good big man to play with, Brook Lopez. Although he is criticized for his rebounding, Lopez is a phenomenal offensive center.
At the age of 22, Lopez has plenty of room to improve as well. A core featuring Carmelo Anthony and Brook Lopez is a solid with a lot of potential for the future.
If the two can learn how to play together and compliment each other’s game, they could turn into one of the better duos in the NBA.
5. $65 Million over Three Years Is a Lot of Money
6 of 10
The deal is approximately 21.7 million per season; that is quite the paycheck. Melo might not be able to get a better deal than that in 2011.
The best part about the three-year deal is that it still give Anthony a lot of freedom. If he doesn’t like his situation in New Jersey, he can do this whole thing again in three years.
If Melo waits until the offseason to sign a contract elsewhere, they will probably look to sign him to a long term contract. This takes away a lot of Anthony’s freedom.
4. The Nets Can Sign a Supporting Cast This Offseason
7 of 10
Unlike Carmelo’s other possible destination, the Nets should have money to sign people this offseason. They will have the opportunity to sign a team that is built around Melo’s talents.
Some good upcoming free agents that would mesh well are Jason Richardson, Rodney Stuckey, Michael Redd and Zach Randolph.
I believe Melo has a golden opportunity to have a fresh start with a new team and some new players signed for him.
3. He Wont Have To Share the Spotlight
8 of 10
In New York, he will have to share the spotlight with Amar’e, and in LA, he will have to share it with Kobe and Gasol. I don’t think that Melo wants that.
His whole career, Melo has been the only superstar on his team. He hasn’t had to share the spotlight and doesn’t know anything other than his current situation.
Why wouldn’t Melo want to be “the man” on his team? He is as talented as anyone in the NBA and has proven he can take over game. In New Jersey, he won’t have to change his playing style or his attitude.
2. New Jersey Might Be His Only Option
9 of 10
If Anthony wants to be traded during the season, the Nets may be the only option that he has. The Nuggets seem unwilling to accept the Lakers’ offer, and the Knicks seem content to wait until the offseason to get Anthony.
This all depends on how badly and how quickly Carmelo wants out of Denver. If he wants to leave right away, I don’t see any reason why Carmelo should not take this deal while it is on the table.
This is as good of a time as any for Melo to pull the trigger and start the second half of the season with a new squad.
1. A Chance To Return Home
10 of 10
Both Carmelo Anthony and his wife Lala Vazquez were both born in Brooklyn, New York. The New Jersey Nets plan on making their home Brooklyn, New York in the 2012-2013 season. What better place to go play than your hometown?
Brooklyn’s own Carmelo Anthony has a chance to bring a NBA championship home to the city he grew up in; it could happen. It sounds like a movie idea from Hollywood.
Also, a move to Brooklyn with a superstar like Carmelo Anthony could attract many other stars from around the league. Possibly Chris Paul in the offseason of 2012?
