Carmelo Anthony Trade: What NBA Teams Can Do To Address Player Exits

The NBA is an absolute mess right now. The Kings are a few days away from announcing a move. The Hornets are looking to move or be contracted. The NBA may have a lockout after this season. Add to that the willingness and desire of the stars of the league to only want to play in a few cities, and the structure of the league is crumbling before our eyes.

The Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams trades have opened my eyes, and I see the best solution to help as many cities as possible stay relevant in this era of the NBA. Not contraction, not relocation, the NBA needs to look into:

TEAM MERGERS.

At this point, only a small number of teams are relevant. Only 8 franchises have won the NBA title since 1980. Free agents only want to go to about 8 teams. The rest of the franchises draft superstars that will eventually leave them for only a few teams. This model cannot work any longer.

Boston, New York, Chicago, Miami, Detroit and Orlando will still have their teams in the East.

Oklahoma City, LA Lakers, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston and Portland will still have their teams in the West.

The rest of the league is ready to be consolidated. These teams would have more ownership money, a larger fan base, and better talent.

Two notes before I get started:  First, I tried to keep every team that has won a title in the last 30 years, minus the Sixers. They've gotten 1 big free agent in the last decade. Second, teams with superstars and really rich active owners remained, minus the Nets.

I see the positives of a merger in that almost every team would make the playoffs. I see the negatives that an already overlong regular season would become worse.

New Team #1: Washington and Philadelphia

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 18: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards and the Rookie Team reacts in the second half during the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam at Staples Center on February 18, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Dj

New Team Name: Washadelphia Bullets

New Starting 5: Wall, Young, Brand, Iguodala, Turner

Advantages: Two big markets combine, top 2 picks of 2010 draft on same team.

Disadvantages: Nobody will be able to make it to the games because of awful traffic on 95, cities dislike for each other will clash.

Coolest Home Site to Create Buzz: The Palestra

Worst Home Site to Create Buzz: The Wire Projects

Chances of Competing with the Heat and Celtics: Small, but they would be entertaining.

Team 2: Cleveland and Indiana

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PHOENIX - DECEMBER 03: Danny Granger #33 of the Indiana Pacers is introduced before the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on December 3, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by download

New Team Name: Indiland Pacaliers

New Starting Lineup: Jamison, Granger, Collison, Hibbert, Williams

Advantages: Strong midwest fan base, plenty of money to spend

Disadvantages: Future superstars could leave two teams for South Beach, would probably get some killer draft picks

Coolest Home Site to Create Buzz: Hinkle Fieldhouse

Worst Home Site to Create Buzz: Cedar Point in Winter

Chances of Competing with Miami and Boston: Almost none. I'm not even sure the merger would make the Pacers better.

Team 3: Charlotte and Atlanta

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 18: Joe Johnson #2 of the Atlanta Hawks posts up against Carlos Arroyo #8 of the Miami Heat during a game at American Airlines Arena on January 18, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by

New Team Name: Charlanta Hawkcats

New Starting Lineup: Johnson, Smith, Horford, Jackson and Wallace (until he is traded)

Advantages: A talented lineup, easily the coolest and most confusing new mascot

Disadvantages: Two teams can get swept out of the playoffs, team first name sounds like a WNBA player

Coolest Home Site to Create Buzz: Cameron Indoor Stadium

Worst Home Site to Create Buzz: The Outer Banks during Hurricane Season

Chances of Competing with Miami and Boston: They would be a bit better during the regular season, but there's nothing to suggest that they can win in the postseason.

Team #4: Minnesota and Milwaukee

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PHOENIX - DECEMBER 15: Kevin Love #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves high fives teammate Martell Webster #5 during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on December 15, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 128

New Team Name: Minnawaukee Timberbucks

New Starting Lineup: Love, Beasley, Bogut, Jennings, Salmons

Advantages: Give Love some guards so he might be convinced to stay past his contract, Minnesota wouldn't finish 26th or 27th in the league anymore.

Disadvantages: Ricky Rubio won't play for Minnawaukee, Kevin Love's arms could fall off trying to rebound missed shots by Jennings and Salmons.

Coolest Home Site to Create Buzz: Lambeau Field (even in snow).

Worst Home Site to Create Buzz: The Recently Caved in Metrodome.

Chances of Competing with the Heat or Celtics: Probably not much, but they would quickly turn into a very entertaining team to watch. Chanting Minnawaukee could be fun also.

Team #5: Golden State and Phoenix

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PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 17: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns drives the ball between Brendan Haywood #33 and Shawn Marion #0 of the Dallas Mavericks during the NBA game at US Airways Center on February 17, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User e

New Team Name: The Pacific Sun Warriors.

New Starting Lineup: Nash, Lee, Curry, Ellis, Wright

Advantages: Move instantly adds 2 years to Steve Nash's career, creation of the coolest highest scoring offense in the NBA. Also has the name with the best merchandising possibilities.

Disadvantages: Somehow only 1 Sun is starting, Robert Sarver will overspend on free agents from Indiland, the bench will consist of Vince Carter, Grant Hill, Ralph Sampson and Ernie DiGregorio.

Coolest Home Site to Create Buzz: AT&T Park.

Worst Home Site to Create Buzz: Jobing.com Arena.

Chances of Competing with Heat and Celtics: If Nash has those 4 guys as his lineup, they could make a run against the Lakers and Spurs. Still probably not enough firepower to go against the Heat or Celtics.

Team #6: Toronto and New Jersey

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 20: Deron Williams #8 of the Utah Jazz and the Western Conference goes up for a shot in front of Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics and the Eastern Conference in the 2011 NBA All-Star Game at Staples Center on February 20, 2

New Team Name: Torklyn Nettors.

New Starting Lineup: Williams, Lopez, Bargnani, Kleiza, Derozan.

Advantages: Torklyn would own the Russian and Canadian fan bases, Russian Billionaire could have kept Chris Bosh and other free agents who want to be in 2 giant cities. Best backup point guard in Jose Calderon.

Disadvantages: Still play second fiddle to the Knicks and Maple Leafs respectively. Coach will be overly cautious and passive knowing Deron Williams has the knife ready to cut his job.

Coolest Home Site To Create Buzz: The Brooklyn Bridge (although commuters might think differently)

Worst Home Site to Create Buzz: The Peace Bridge (A fast break would be a customs nightmare)

Chances of Competing with Miami and Boston: None, but they would have the scale to become a factor.

Team #7: Sacramento and Los Angeles Clippers

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 19: Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers goes up for a dunk in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest apart of NBA All-Star Saturday Night at Staples Center on February 19, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User exp

New Team Name: The Los Angeles Kings.

New Starting Lineup: Evans, Cousins, Griffin, Gordon, Udroh.

Advantages: The creation of the most exciting young starting lineup in the league, the merger would make Sacramento's impending move to Anaheim or Vegas much more simple, Blake Griffin could just punch Demarcus Cousins when he goes crazy, they can break out the Gretzky era colors for their new jerseys.

Disadvantages: Still the 2nd fiddle team in LA, but definitely getting closer, team could derail at any moment, Donald Sterling will still allow his stars to leave in free agency, unless the Maloofs can move the team first to Vegas.

Coolest Home Site to Create Buzz: The Staples Center will do just fine.

Worst Home Site to Create Buzz: Sacramento.

Chances of Competing with Miami and Boston: For now it may be small, but I can imagine this would become a fascinating and must watch team.

Team #8: New Orleans and Memphis

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 19: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets competes in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge apart of NBA All-Star Saturday Night at Staples Center on February 19, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty

New Team Name: Memph Orleans Blues and Jazz

New Starting Lineup: West, Paul, Okafor, Randolph (unless he's traded), Gay

Advantages: A very interesting starting lineup would be created, the team would own the Mississippi, Chris Paul would have two more scorers to pass to.

Disadvantages: It's still not New York, and with two cities that don't have a huge basketball following, Paul would probably still leave. Both cities have some good food though.

Coolest Home Site to Create Buzz: Graceland.

Worst Home Site to Create Buzz: Jonesboro.

Chances of Competing with Heat and Celtics: As long as they have Paul they could do well and make a run at the Lakers, just not sure they have enough to beat them or the Heat and Celtics.

Team #9: Denver and Utah

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 10: Rocky, the mascot of the Denver Nuggets, performs with the Denver Nuggets Dance Team during a break in the action against the Dallas Mavericks during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on February 10, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The N

New Team Name: The Salt in Their Wounds Screw Carmelo and Derons

New Starting Lineup: Nene, Felton, Harris, Millsap, Jefferson

Advantages: Creation of the deepest, most vengeful team and fan base in the NBA, unreal point guard depth and ability to make about 30 more trades

Disadvantages: If one of the players they currently have morphs into a star, they will trade him way too quickly. NBA Superstars obviously do not want to play in Denver or Salt Lake City

Coolest Home Site to Create Buzz: Red Rocks.

Worst Home Site to Create Buzz: Casa Bonita.

Chances of Competing with Miami and Boston: Probably little, which best shows the state of how badly the NBA is screwed up. Even the 9 newly merged teams would struggle to win a title.