NBA Trade Rumors: 7 Reasons Denver Nuggets Can Move on Without Carmelo Anthony

One way or the other, the Denver Nuggets are likely to be without Carmelo Anthony next season and beyond. They may be without him for the final stretch of this season if the New Jersey Nets or New York Knicks are able to organize a trade for the superstar forward.

Denver will have to cope with the loss of 'Melo, and there are ways to help them do that. From the free agency market to trades to the draft, there are several avenues for Denver to pursue that would keep the franchise thriving with out Anthony.

Here are seven reasons that Denver can be fine without Anthony.

7. Trade Returns From Nets Useful

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NEW YORK - JUNE 24: Derrick Favors of Georgia State stands with NBA Commisioner David Stern after being drafted third overall by the New Jersey Nets at Madison Square Garden on June 24, 2010 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges an

The reported trade with the Nets would give Denver Devin Harris, Derrick Favors and four first round picks. Devin Harris would be ready to take over as starting point guard right away.

Favors may need more time to develop but is considered a great young talent in the league right now. But in the 2011-12 season, he should be ready to play a major role.

6. 'Melo Leaving Provides Cap Space

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 21: Carmelo Anthony #15 and Chauncey Billups #1 of the Denver Nuggets talk during a break in the action against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center on January 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 107-9

If Carmelo Anthony were to pick up his player option for 2012 and the Nuggets were to pick up their team option for Chauncey Billups, they would owe the duo more than $32 million.

If they trade them to either the Knicks or Nets, Denver suddenly has some cap space to work with. The free agency market this summer isn't nearly what it was last summer with LeBron James, Joe Johnson, Amar'e Stoudemire, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all on the table.

Ray Allen, Caron Butler, Yao Ming, Zach Randolph and David West will all be unrestricted free agents. Butler and Ming could come cheaply due to injury concerns.

5. 'Melo Never Delivered a Championship

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 20: NBA player Carmelo Anthony arrives to the T-Mobile Magenta Carpet at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on February 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Carmelo has his hands in his pockets in this picture. Is that to hide the fact that his fingers are void of NBA championship rings?

Of course, not every star can win an NBA finals. But that doesn't keep fans, owners and team management from expecting it. The closest 'Melo took the Nuggets was to the Western Conference Finals in 2009 where the Lakers dispatched of them in six games.

4. Trade Returns From Knicks Can Contribute Right Away

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 16: Raymond Felton #2 of the New York Knicks is helped up by teammates Danilo Gallinari #8, Landry Fields #6 and Wilson Chandler #21 after being fouled as Amar'e Stoudemire #1 looks on against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on N

The most recently proposed trade that would send Anthony to the Knicks would have brought Danilo Gallinari and Raymond Felton to Denver. Both can contribute right away. Felton is playing like an all star and Gallinari's production has increased dramatically this season.

However, it is now being rumored that if the Knicks and Nuggets make the swap, Denver would turn around and send Gallinari and current Knick Timofey Mozgov to New Jersey for more draft picks.

Felton is the big coup in the trade anyway. Denver keeping him would be wise.

3. Trade For Another Star

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ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 10: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets attempts a shot against Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic during the game at Amway Arena on October 10, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

Denver is one side of a scenario that it could reverse next season. The Nuggets are dealing with a star that is expected to opt for free agency at the end of the season.

At the end of 2012, three stars are rumored to be thinking the same way. Chris Paul hasn't been very discrete about wanting to find a new home for his championship hopes. Deron Williams hasn't denied that he's looking for a way out of Utah. He's just told people to only believe what he says, not reports. Dwight Howard has declined to comment extensively on it.

Denver could possibly make a move to acquire any of those three.

2. Find Next Superstar in the Draft

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NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 7: Carmelo Anthony #15 of Syracuse smiles after making a basket against the Kansas defense during the championship game of the NCAA Men's Final Four Tournament on April 7, 2003 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (P

Sometimes it can be hard to remember that not every superstar to ever be is already in the league. They come from somewhere.

If Denver does pull the trigger on any of the reported possible trades—which in some cases involve receiving multiple first round picks—it will have the ability to grow through the NBA draft.You know, the exact way they got Carmelo Anthony in the first place.

There is always young talent coming through the farm system known as the NCAA.

1. Start a New Era

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 03: J.R. Smith #1, Kenyon Martin #6 and Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets sit on the bench as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-109 on November 3, 2006 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: Use

Denver is in a great position to start things over. Often when teams begin a new era when championship hopes with the current roster dwindle, it's a drawn out process that requires a season or two or poor results.

But the Nuggets can avoid such a transition. Carmelo, Anthony Carter, Kenyon Martin, Nene and J.R. Smith are all key players that enter free agency this summer. Melvin Ely and Shelden Williams are also going to be free agents and have been rumored as part of 'Melo trades, as has Chauncey Billups.

Anthony, Martin, Billups, Nene and Smith are the Nuggets' highest paid players this season, with Smith the only one not to make at least $11 million. Talk about cap flexibility. With draft picks and money to spend, Denver could revamp its lineup without missing a step in the Northwest.