Carmelo Anthony Traded To New York Knicks: How Deal Will Re-Build Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets were smart to trade Carmelo Anthony before he left the team as a free agent.

Despite the initial opposition that many may have to the trade, the Nuggets made the right move for the future by dealing their disgruntled superstar. 

Somehow, the Nuggets were able to squeeze an extraordinary amount of talent out of New York and onto their roster, despite the entire world knowing that Melo wanted to be in New York. 

Denver received three legitimate starters in Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari and a very intriguing prospect in Russian center Timofey Mozgov. Additionally, the team cleared dead weight in shedding Shelden Williams, Renaldo Balkman and Anthony Carter. 

Once a perennial powerhouse in the Western Conference, the Nuggets and their fan base are looking at a very uncertain future. However, it's likely that Denver isn't quite done dealing just yet.

With coach George Karl already naming Ty Lawson as his starting point guard, it's looking increasingly likely that Felton will be traded yet again before the February 24th deadline. There are also reports that the team is shopping Gallinari to a variety of teams, and there's certain to be plenty of interest in the sharpshooter. 

It remains to be seen how the team will make out when it's all said and done, but currently the Nuggets are in a state of uncertainty with a host of moving pieces. JR Smith is another candidate to be moved by the team, and we could be looking at a very different Denver roster over the next few days.

What does it all mean?

For years, the Nuggets have had Carmelo Anthony and his superstar status to sell tickets and bring fans into the building.

The biggest question facing the Denver franchise is if fans will still flock to a team that lacks a legitimate superstar.

While the team has some intriguing pieces in Gallo (if they keep him), Nene Hilario and a very young Lawson, the loss of Melo and veteran leader Chauncey Billups will prove to be a tough pill to swallow.

So just what type of team will the Nuggets turn out to be? It's tough to predict, especially with time remaining before the deadline to make even more moves.

Is this a team that can realistically compete in the postseason? Absolutely not. 

In an NBA where the blueprint to a championship is built around having at least two legitimate superstars, it's tough to see the Nuggets enjoying any sort of success before general manager Masai Ujiri's long-term vision comes to fruition.

But the long-term vision he has in mind is anyone's guess, as it appears that the Nuggets are closer to turning into David Kahn's Timberwolves than Mitch Kupchak's Lakers.