Carmelo Anthony Trade To Knicks Could Be Imminent, According To Report

Will seven months of trade speculation surrounding Carmelo Anthony come to an end tonight? According to a report from Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears, a trade between the New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets for "Melo could happen tonight:

Melo is close to being dealt to Knicks, possibly tonight, a source tells Y! Sports.

Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post reported that Chauncey Billups left practice without speaking to the media. If the trade goes through, Billups and 'Melo will go to New York with throw-ins Renaldo Balkman and Shelden Williams. The Nuggets would receive Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler and the Knicks' 2014 first-round draft pick. The Minnesota Wolves would also be involved in this trade by receiving Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry from the Knicks. The T'Wolves would then send Corey Brewer to the Nuggets.

[UPDATE] According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, Timofey Mozgov may be included, but nothing is a done deal yet.

The Nuggets play their next game on Tuesday, Feb. 22 against the Memphis Grizzlies. While 'Melo said during the All-Star Game that he plans on being in a Nuggets uniform on Tuesday, it may no longer be the case.

Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors: George Karl Prefers Nuggets Deal With Knicks Rather Than Nets

With the Carmelo Anthony trade rumors flying more than ever before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, it makes sense that a new angle has come about today — Nuggets coach George Karl prefers that Denver makes a deal with the New York Knicks instead of the New Jersey Nets.

This newest reason why the Nuggets should trade Carmelo to the Knicks, courtesy of Yahoo! Sports’ Marc Spears, seemingly is being pushed for by Karl because the coach’s contract is up at the end of this season and he believes that the Knicks are offering better pieces that can help help Denver win immediately.

According to Spears, the most recent rendition of the trade is as such:

The Knicks’ current proposal would send Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler and the Knicks’ 2014 first-round pick to Denver. The Knicks would also trade Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry’s expiring contract to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who would send Corey Brewer to the Nuggets. The Knicks would receive Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams and Renaldo Balkman.

The latest holdup, according to numerous sources, is that the Nuggets would also like to receive center Timofey Mozgov, perhaps to trade him in a package to the Nets.

Nuggets Could Still Trade With Nets If Carmelo Anthony Goes To Knicks, According To Report

If the Denver Nuggets do wind up trading Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks, don't count out a separate trade between the Nuggets and the Nets. There are a few conditions in this report that originates from ESPN's Chris Broussard:

Sources say NJ in talks w/Den to send 2 1st round picks to Den for Mozgov & either Gallinari, Chandler or Felton, if Melo traded to NYK

Let's break this down. First, the Knicks and Nuggets make a trade that includes Timofey Mozgov, a sticking point between the two teams at the moment. Second, the Nets and Nuggets need to agree on who the second player going to Jersey would be. Gallinari appears to be the center piece of the trade as the Nuggets need to choose between him an Landry Fields. If it's Felton, that means the Nuggets would start Ty Lawson at the point and that the Nets would likely trade Devin Harris. Chandler is the only one of the three who appears to be likely trade chip.

No word yet on the specifics of the draft picks that would be moved.

Will Carmelo Anthony End Trade Rumors On Monday?

In another round of "news" masquerading as news in the Carmelo Anthony trade saga, the New York Post reports that unnamed sources believe Anthony will let the New Jersey Nets know on Monday if he will accept a trade there and sign an extension. It will be a colossal upset if Anthony tells the Nets that he will accept the trade and sign the extension. For seven months we have heard that he will not sign the three-year, $65 million deal, but never directly from his mouth.

The Nets are willing to send Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, other players and four first-round draft picks to the Denver Nuggets for Anthony, Chauncey Billups and filler pieces. Without the extension, the Nets would not be that generous in acquiring Anthony as a rent-a-player option.

If Anthony tells the Nets he will not sign the extension, the New York Knicks become the favorite to land a trade. However, a new report claims that the Nuggets want Timofey Mozgov in the final trade, but the Knicks are not including him. With the Knicks the only suitor, the Nuggets can continue to play hardball with the Knicks and bleed them dry in acquiring Anthony. But if the Knicks had any sense, they would just hunker down and not make the trade. Anthony will hit the free agent market this summer, making it far easier for the Knicks to acquire him.

Carmelo Anthony (Unsurprisingly) Will Not Sign Extension With Nets, According To Report

It's NBA All-Star Weekend and Carmelo Anthony is still a member of the Denver Nuggets. According to a new report, Carmelo Anthony will not sign a three-year, $65 million extension with the New Jersey Nets in order to complete a trade. This has been a prerequisite for a trade, and it has almost been a given that "Melo would not sign such an extension. He wants to play for the New York Knicks, which still remains a possibility.

Had the Nets and Nuggets agreed on a trade, Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Melvin Ely and Renaldo Balkman would have headed east. Coming out to the mountains would have been Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, Troy Murphy's expiring contract, Ben Uzoh and four first-round draft picks.

With the Nets now supposedly out of the chase, the Knicks remain the favorite to land the star. The parameters of a trade have been breached, which include Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, a first-round pick and other pieces. However, Gallinari could be replaced with Landry Fields, as the Nuggets have to choose him or Gallinari as the main piece of the deal. The Nuggets can continue to ask for more from the Knicks because they appear to be the only team left in the bidding. However, the Knicks can also back down and wait for Carmelo Anthony to become a free agent.

The NBA Trade Deadline is Thursday, Feb. 24, at 1:00 p.m. MT

Knicks Increase Offer For Carmelo Anthony, According To Report

According to a report by Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears, the New York Knicks have increased their offer for the Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony. In the proposed trade, the Nuggets would receive Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Eddy Curry's expiring contract and a first-round pick not yet in the Knicks' possession. 'Melo and Chauncey Billups as well as other pieces would head to New York.

The Nuggets had to choose between Gallinari and Landry Fields and decided on the latter, if this report is true. This is a step down from the Nets' offer of Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, expiring contracts and four first-round picks. However, the stumbling block for the Nets' offer is that 'Melo would need to sign an extension with the team, though no indication has been given that he would. New York, however, is 'Melo's preferred destination.

But is this really a "new" development? All we know is that Gallinari, not Fields, is supposedly the key return in this deal.

Carmelo Anthony, Knicks' James Dolan Reportedly Met On Thursday

Here's a good reason why the Carmelo Anthony trade drama is a wild goose chase that needn't be followed: Carmelo Anthony has already met with the Knicks' James Dolan on Thursday, the New York Daily News reports. Apparently a conference call between Dolan and Knicks president Donnie Walsh will take part in a conference call on Friday with Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke and general manager Masai Ujiri.

If the Nuggets have already agreed to a trade with the Nets, why allow this meeting? This may be a fall back if 'Melo does not agree to sign an extension with the Nets, which in all likely may happen. As Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski tweets, Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov will probably have issues with the public nature of the ongoing trade talks. He canceled the last trade partially as a result of how that one played out in the media.

This has long moved on from being interesting to just being a lather, rinse, repeat job.

Report: Nets, Nuggets Agree On Deal, Need Only Carmelo Anthony's OK

On Thursday night, it was reported that the Denver Nuggets and the New Jersey Nets had determined the players they want to swap in a Carmelo Anthony trade. On Friday, NBA sources have told the Bergen Record the deal is complete minus Carmelo Anthony signing a three-year, $65 million extension. As long as he does that, 'Melo will be wearing a Nets uniform soon enough.

Carmelo Anthony will supposedly meet with Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov during this weekend's All-Star Break. This meeting will be in hopes of selling New Jersey and eventually Brooklyn as 'Melo's future home. But if Anthony's reported desire is to play for the New York Knicks, this meeting could just be a courtesy.

The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 24. Should this happen, which in all possibility it may not, the Nuggets would likely want this to go down early in the week. That way they would then be able to explore the market for several other players, including Nene.

Carmelo Anthony Reportedly Set To Meet Knicks And Nets Owners During All-Star Break

While the NBA All-Star Weekend is usually filled with plenty of excitement and fun, for Carmelo Anthony the next few days could mark the end of his time with the Denver Nuggets. Last night, we learned that the New Jersey Nets have reached the parameters of a trade with the Nuggets for 'Melo. The only thing standing in the way, supposedly, is whether 'Melo will sign an extension with the Nets.

Now, Frank Isola of the NY Daily News reports that a meeting will take place between Anthony and Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov--and James Dolan of the Knicks. Prokhorov had a private meeting schedule with Anthony in January but canceled it and the trade because the process had taken too much of a toll on the team. Publicly, Prokhorov's stance has remained as though he is no longer interested in a trade.

Isola suggests the meeting with Dolan isn't about selling New York to Anthony (it's always been his desired destination), but rather to find out the vision of the future for the Knicks with him there.

At this point with all the rumors, the non-starter positions and the canceled trades, we're less than a week away from a resolution to the "will they or won't they trade him" saga.

NBA Trade Deadline Rumor: Nets, Nuggets Have Players In Place, Still Need Carmelo Anthony To Accept Extension

On Thursday night, it appears that the Denver Nuggets and the New Jersey Nets have reached a point at which they must now get Carmelo Anthony to sign a three-year, $65 million extension in order to complete a trade. According to Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski, both sides have agreed on the players to be included in this deal. The Nuggets would send 'Melo, Chauncey Billups, Melvin Ely, Renaldo Balkman and Shelden Williams and then receive rookie Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, Troy Murphy, Ben Uzoh and four draft picks.

The main portion of the deal is the Melo-Billups swap for Favors-Harris and the draft picks. The other players are either expiring contracts or inclusions to balance the salary swaps. The four draft picks would reportedly be two 2011 first-round draft picks, a conditional first-round pick the Golden State Warriors owe the Nets and a future first-round pick.

Just like before, the Nets will only make this trade is if Carmelo Anthony will sign an extension with them. Supposedly, there could be an All-Star Weekend meeting between Anthony and Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov, who canceled his previous meeting with the player and then called off the entire trade during a Jan. 20 press conference.

In some ways this is a better deal than the one discussed back in January. It cuts out a third team (the Detroit Pistons before) and has the Nuggets receiving two more first-round picks.

[UPDATE] However, Wojnarowski later updated his report to mention that Murphy and a draft pick or two would be sent somewhere else later.

Will Carmelo Anthony still be in a Nuggets uniform when the season starts up on Tuesday?

NBA Trade Deadline: Carmelo Anthony Rumors Still Swirling, But Not With Mavericks

The good news is that there is less than a week left until the NBA trade deadline, meaning just six more days are left for Denver Nuggets fans to wonder if Carmelo Anthony is going to be traded to the Nets, Knicks, Mavericks, Rockets, Lakers or any other team that randomly pops up before next Thursday’s 2 p.m. deadline.

The bad news is that the Carmelo trade rumors will keep pouring in right up until that deadline.

ESPN’s Marc Stein dropped a couple of notes in a piece for TrueHoop today, and while some of them were already out there — the Nuggets opened talks with the Nets again — he also added a few new interesting tidbits.

First, the Nuggets are “encouraging” a face-to-face meeting between Anthony and Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov this weekend at the NBA All-Star events in Los Angeles according to Stein’s source “close to the process.”

Not to leave the ever-present Knicks out of the conversation, Stein mentions that New York owner James Dolan has “a Melo-at-all-costs stance” according to some observers and if GM Donnie Walsh is able to bring him in now rather than having to wait until free agency, it would probably allow Walsh to get a contract extension sooner than later.

Last, but not least, Stein notes that the Dallas Mavericks have all but dropped out of the Carmelo Sweepstakes since they’re all but certain that Anthony wouldn’t re-sign with the team. Well, they might still be interested, but not to the point that they’d include Rodrigue Beaubois, their best young prospect.

For more details on these rumors, check out Stein’s entire column and stay tuned to this StoryStream for all of the Carmelo Anthony trade deadline updates up until next week’s NBA trade deadline.

NBA Trade Deadline Rumor: Nets, Nuggets Talking About Carmelo Anthony Again

Despite New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov pulling out of a trade for the Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony in January, new reports have the two teams discussing a trade again. Al Iannazzone first tweeted that the two teams "have talked recently," but Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski then followed with a report that the Nuggets re-initiated talks "over a week ago" and that "progress" has been made.

Wojnarowski later reported that the deal would still include "rookie forward Derrick Favors and draft picks," though it would be part of a lesser offer this time.

Is this a ploy by the Nuggets to get more out of the New York Knicks, or has New York decided it doesn't want to give up the entire city for 'Melo? And, as always, will Carmelo Anthony sign an extension with the Nets if a new deal is agree upon? He was scheduled to meet with Prokhorov before the proposed deal was cut off.

This is just another turn in the Melodrama. The trade deadline is Feb. 24.

NBA Trade Deadline Rumor: Knicks, Mavericks Could Be Only Destinations For Carmelo Anthony

With roughly a week remaining until the Feb. 24 NBA trade deadline, Carmelo Anthony trade rumors abound. The Knicks? The Nets? The Rockets? The Mavericks? The Lakers? All those teams have been rumored as possible destinations for Carmelo Anthony since last summer. Only the Nets were the closest team to working out a deal.

The Knicks are the current team attempting to work out a deal for the star player, and the Nuggets are looking for Danilo Gallinari and Raymond Felton as part of the return. Now word from New York Newsday's Alan Hahn is that the shape of a potential trade between the two teams is changing. It appears that either Danilo Gallinari or Wilson Chandler would be the main piece moving, with the Chauncey Billups-Raymond Felton swap still happening. Additionally, Timofey Mozgov and Landry Fields could be included in the deal. A first-round draft pick to Denver would likely be necessary.

But if the Knicks can't complete a deal, who else is left? Hahn writes that the Lakers, the Nets and the Rockets are all out, but the Mavericks could be willing to make the trade (well, if they can find a bunch of pieces):

At this point, a source with knowledge of the situation said the biggest -- and perhaps last -- remaining threat to the Knicks could be the Dallas Mavericks. 

Though Mark Cuban hinted recently that he would be willing to trade for a superstar without an extension, the source said Anthony would be amenable to signing an extension with the Mavs, who are already a championship contender and yet have a huge hole at small forward after the injury to Caron Butler.

Melo's willingness to sign an extension with the Mavericks is a new revelation, as it was previously reported that he would only sign an extension with the Knicks.

Is Carmelo Anthony Bluffing About Signing Extension If Not Traded?

A week ago, Carmelo Anthony said that he would need to think hard about signing the extension the Nuggets have offered him if he is not traded by the Feb. 24 deadline. If that were to happen, it could just be an indication that 'Melo want to get as much money as he can before a new collective bargaining agreement that is expected to rollback salaries is reached.

Now Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the franchise could be coming apart at the seams. According to Wojnarowski's sources, the Nuggets are becoming disillusioned over 'Melo's concern with racking up stats instead of winning, as well as his refusal to take direction from George Karl. This is what has led many to believe Anthony is insincere about the possibility of signing the extension if he is not traded.

The same sources also suggest that Karl, though he has said nothing publicly, would prefer to coach a Nuggets team that does not have Anthony on the roster.

This dance-around is also reportedly hampering other deals from happening. According to Portland Trail Blazers GM Rich Cho, a Carmelo Anthony trade could lead to a number of other deals then falling into place.

Report: Nuggets Asking For Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton As Part Of Carmelo Anthony Deal

Are the Denver Nuggets now playing hardball in their attempts to trade Carmelo Anthony? According to the New York Daily News, the Nuggets are asking the New York Knicks for a robber baron's fortune for 'Melo. This reported deal would have the Nuggets send 'Melo and Chauncey Billups to the Knicks for forward Danilo Gallinari, point guard Raymond Felton, Eddy Curry's expiring contract and a first-round draft pick.

Felton is 26 years old and is enjoying an All-Star-level performance this season (though not selected as one) with 17.2 points and 9.0 assists per game, all career highs. Gallinari, 22, has not played like previous big men the Knicks have drafted, averaging over 15 points per game each of the last two seasons.

Earlier reports had the Nuggets and the Knicks involved in a three-team trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves that included lesser players returning to the Nuggets. But since Carmelo Anthony has a strong desire to play with the Knicks, it appears that general manager Masai Ujiri wants to receive as much as he can in return for his star player. However, the last time the Nuggets brass tried to demand too much, the New Jersey Nets had pulled out of a trade that appeared on the cusp of consummation.

Like Knicks management, SB Nation New York is none too pleased with these trade demands and jokingly suggests that the Nuggets should ask for some real estate and land, too.

Will the Nuggets lower their demands by the Feb. 24 trade deadline or will they decide to do their best with 'Melo and see what happens with the extension offered to him?

Could The New Jersey Nets Re-Enter Carmelo Anthony Trade Saga?

While New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov called off the proposed three-team trade for Carmelo Anthony on Jan. 20, is it possible the Nets and the Nuggets will decide to work something out? Prokhorov sounded pretty sure that wouldn't happen when he said that he doesn't deal in the subjunctive, which is to say that he wouldn't have the Nets re-initiate the trade or discuss it again.

However, the New York Post, for what it's worth, reports that league executives believe the Nets are still a trade partner for the Nuggets, and several in the Nets front office believe they will take calls from their Nuggets counterparts soon enough.

If the Nets and the Nuggets do start talking again, would the previous deal still be in place? In that deal the Nuggets would have received from the Nets two first-round draft picks, rookie forward Derrick Favors and point guard Devin Harris. The Nets would have received Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups from the Nuggets and Richard Hamilton from the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons would have taken on the expiring contract of Troy Murphy and a draft pick. Additional pieces were included to make the salaries work out.

Given that they pulled out of this trade once before as a result of the Nuggets dragging negotiations out, the Nets need not offer such generous terms again.

Stein: Carmelo Anthony Signing Extension Might Frustrate Nuggets Brass Who Still Want To Trade Him

Yesterday Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony told the press that he would “take a hard look” at signing the the three-year, $65 million extension the Nuggets have on the table if the team is unable to trade him.

ESPN’s Marc Stein reports today that Nuggets brass, led by Masai Ujiri, was probably more frustrated than happy that Anthony is now once again saying he’s willing to sign the extension simply because it seems like the NBA All-Star would be doing it for all of the wrong reasons.

The Nuggets are well aware that Anthony — in the event he isn’t traded and then offers to sign the extension — would purely be doing so because he wants to secure the richest possible contract under the current collective bargaining agreement. Not because he’s had a true change of heart.

And that’s not how Denver officials, according to sources familiar with their thinking, want to rebuild their team, knowing that Anthony could well sign for an additional three years and $65 million and still be disgruntled. Or, worse, try to force a trade next season.

Stein also mentions that the Nuggets are hopeful that they are able to get Melo traded before the trade deadline so that they have a couple of days to attempt to shop J.R. Smith, Nene and Kenyon Martin in the wake of the deal.

No matter what happens, it sounds like this situation is going to end in a mess.

Report: Carmelo Anthony Would 'Take A Hard Look' At Extension If Not Traded

Might Carmelo Anthony be changing his mind about wanting to leave Denver? Following today's shootaround, Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post tweeted that Carmelo Anthony would "take a hard look" at the three-year, $65 million extension the Nuggets have on the table if the team is unable to trade him.

How serious he really is about those remarks is the biggest question. If the Nuggets continue to wait this entire thing out until the Feb. 24 trade deadline they may not find a deal worth making. One of the proposed trades involving the Nuggets, the Knicks and the Timberwolves involves the Nuggets receiving Wilson Chandler from the Knicks and Corey Brewer and a first-round pick from the Timberwolves.

That deal is not as appealing as the earlier deal the Nuggets were supposedly close to making with the New Jersey Nets and the Detroit Pistons. The Nuggets would have received two first-round picks from the Nets as well as rookie forward Derrick Favors and veteran point guard Devin Harris. Melo and Chauncey Billups would have moved to Jersey.

Additionally, Anthony says that he rumored talks between the Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers were "a new one" to him.

Will The Nuggets Wait Until Feb. 24 To Trade Carmelo Anthony?

While the Denver Nuggets may be in preliminary talks with the Los Angeles Lakers to make a Carmelo Anthony trade, the New York Knicks remain very much in the picture. The may be the leading team, according to Mitch Lawrence of the NY Daily News. However, a deal is not imminent.

According to Lawrence's sources, the Nuggets are likely to trade Melo right around the deadline on Feb. 24. Any number of teams remain as a possible landing spot, though apparently those reports linking Andrew Bynum of the Lakers in a Melo deal have been greatly exaggerated, if not flat wrong.

The current Knicks-Nuggets deal involves the Minnesota Timberwolves as well. The Nuggets would receive Wilson Chandler from the Knicks and Corey Brewer and a first-round pick (which year no one is quite sure yet) from the Timberwolves. The Timberwolves would receive Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry. The Knicks, ultimately the winners in this trade, would get Melo. Lawrence indicates, though, that other proposals are being exchanged.

While the Knicks are Anthony's preferred destination, there will likely be several teams (the Rockets and Mavericks among them) who would be willing to trade for Anthony and watch him leave at the end of the season. The Nuggets could fold on the trade table and keep Anthony for the rest of the season, play as far as they can with him and then see him depart through free agency.

We'll find out what happens in at most two weeks.

Report: Lakers Enter Carmelo Anthony Discussions

The L.A. Lakers are the latest team to engage the Denver Nuggets in trade talks regarding All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony, reports Chris Broussard of ESPN. Broussard says the Lakers have had “preliminary discussions” with Denver about Anthony, and are willing to send 23-year-old center Andrew Bynum to the Nuggets. Though Lakers forward Ron Artest, according to recent reports, is seeking to leave L.A., Denver is not interested in taking him on.

Bynum has averaged 10.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in his six-year career. A 7-footer with back-to-basket skills, he’d give Denver a true center who can capably play both ends of the floor. He is owed $14.9 million next season, with a team option worth $16.1 million the following year.

While Bynum is an attractive centerpiece to receive in return for Anthony, dealing with the Lakers will be problematic for Denver. As SB Nation colleague Mike Prada points out, Los Angeles does not have any expiring contracts to offer the Nuggets. If Denver GM Masai Ujiri is serious about trimming Denver’s payroll, he may have to reject the Lakers’ offer.

Report: Nuggets, Knicks, Timberwolves Working On Three-Team Trade For Carmelo Anthony

ESPN's Chris Broussard reports that a new three-team deal for Carmelo Anthony is in the works. This new iteration involves the New York Knicks and the opponents the Denver Nuggets beat on Saturday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Supposedly, the deal would send Melo to New York, Wilson Chandler, Corey Brewer and Minnesota's first-round pick to the Nuggets and Eddy Curry and Anthony Randolph to Minnesota. This isn't too much of a surprise. The Knicks were reportedly looking to trade Randolph to the T'Wolves earlier in order to get a first-round pick in a deal for Melo.

The Knicks have been Anthony's preferred destination for some time and there have been reports to varying degrees stating the he will only sign an extension with the Knicks if a trade does happen. Any other team and he would walk at the end of the season.

However, this rumored trade would be a step down from what the Nuggets could have received from the New Jersey Nets, which included two first-round draft picks, rookie forward Derrick Favors and point guard Devin Harris (who would likely have been moved in another deal).

Ever since September, there have been multiple trades that would have sent Carmelo Anthony to another destination. Will this one be like all the others, or will this one stick because it involves the Knicks? Stay tuned.

Report: Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban Willing To Trade For Carmelo Anthony

With the New Jersey Nets out of the picture for Carmelo Anthony, the New York Knicks are still the team most likely to gain the services of the All-Star forward, be it through trade this season or in free agency. However, there has always been the possibility of a team trading for Melo without looking for him to sign an extension with the team.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban would be interested in making that trade. As the New York Post reports, Cuban said he would be willing to trade for a player in a situation similar to Carmelo Anthony. He can't directly reference Melo because that would be a violation of league rules.

Without any indication of what a potential swap would look like, it's still a better bet that Melo will play out the season with the Nuggets and enter free agency than it would be for the Nuggets to trade him to a team that isn't looking to sign him to an extension. Anthony appears ready to play out the season with Denver.

For Cuban, it is better to attempt to acquire Anthony than to buy a minority ownership in the New York Mets at the moment, right?

Knicks Ready To Hire Former Nuggets GM Mark Warkentien

According to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, the New York Knicks have reached an agreement to hire former Denver Nuggets general manager Mark Warkentien. This is a move that should play a large part in the Knicks' pursuit of Carmelo Anthony. Though his role has yet to be specifically defined, for now he is a consultant to Knicks team president Donnie Walsh and will help with scouting both college and the league.

Warkentien joined the Denver Nuggets in 2005 as the director of player personnel and was then elevated to Vice President of Basketball Operations for the team on Sept. 7, 2006. For the 2008-2009 season, Warkentien received the NBA Executive of the Year award for building a Nuggets team that finished 54-28 and reached the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Early on in that season, Warkentien traded Allen Iverson for Chauncey Billups.

In August 2010, then-Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke decided not to renew Warkentien's contract and elevated his son, Josh, and new general manager Masai Ujiri to head the team.

Warkentien was known to have a strong relationship with Carmelo Anthony, which should only increase Melo's desire to play for the Knicks.

Report: Nuggets Open To Carmelo Anthony Trade With Knicks Now That Nets Deal Is Over

According to CBS Sports' Ken Berger, the Denver Nuggets are now open to trading Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks. Berger's sources inform him that the Nuggets have changed their opinion on Anthony Randolph, a 6-foot-11, 225-pound 21-year-old forward.

Previously, the New York Knicks were attempting to move Randolph to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a first-round pick, which they wanted to use in a trade for Carmelo Anthony deal. However, that has not happened yet. Rather, it appears the Nuggets are willing to acquire Randolph now that the New Jersey Nets' Derrick Favors is out of the picture.

The Golden State Warriors selected Randolph with the 14th pick in the 2008 draft. In three seasons, Randolph has yet to establish himself in the league and has seen diminished playing time each year. The Knicks acquired Randolph as a part of a sign-and-trade deal last summer involving David Lee. Randolph has appeared in 14 games and averaged two points and 2.4 rebounds.

However, there is no indication yet that the two teams have discussed this possibility yet. What is clear, though, is that the Nuggets will receive far less than had they reached a deal with the Nets.

Nuggets Missed Chance To Land Eric Gordon This Summer

In his latest NBA notebook, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reports the Denver Nuggets missed a chance to acquire L.A. Clippers shooting guard Eric Gordon this summer. “The Clippers,” Spears says, “were open to trading Eric Gordon in a package for Carmelo Anthony last offseason,” but they changed their minds when they saw his performance for Team USA in the World Championships.

Now in his third season, Gordon’s emerged as a fringe All-Star candidate, averaging 24.1 points per game, which ranks eighth in the league; SB Nation colleague Mike Prada wrote more extensively about the 22-year-old’s greatness earlier this week.

To be clear, there’s no indication the Nuggets were ever interested in trading Anthony to the Clippers, or that Anthony would have signed a contract extension in order to facilitate that trade, so it’s hard to know for sure if Denver truly missed the boat on Gordon. But as it stands, it seems unlikely that the Nuggets will get a player close to Gordon’s caliber in an eventual Anthony trade.

Report: Nets To Walk Away From Carmelo Anthony Deal, Owner Mikhail Prokhorov Says

The latest turn in the Carmelo Anthony trade saga has emerged, and this time it comes from New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov. The Russian businessman said during a press conference today that he has instructed the front office to withdraw from any deal. This was a final decision because the process dragged on and has taken up too many of the team's resources.

The proposed deal that fell through would have included the Detroit Pistons to balance out salaries, expiring contracts and draft picks. The Nets would receive Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter, Shelden Williams and the Pistons' Richard Hamilton. In return the Nuggets would receive rookie Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, Anthony Morrow, several other players and two first-round draft picks (from the Nets). The Pistons would receive Johan Petro and Troy Murphy from the Nets, as well as a draft pick.

Where does this leave the Nuggets now? The New York Knicks could still be a possibility, and the Chicago Bulls may be back in the thick of things. Or the Nuggets could wind up with nothing, not trade Melo before the deadline and then watch him leave for nothing during free agency this summer.

Right now, it appears the Nuggets' front office has overreached in this whole Melodrama.

Carmelo Anthony Rumor: Are The Chicago Bulls Back Into The Mix?

With the deal to the New Jersey Nets stuck in neutral and the Denver Nuggets not interested in what the New York Knicks are offering, Carmelo Anthony's agents are attempting to get the Chicago Bulls back into the trade picture, reports Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Bulls were in on Anthony back in September, but nothing ever materialized. The Nuggets would likely want Joakim Noah back in any trade, while the Bulls want to move Luol Deng, a player and contract the Nuggets are not inclined to take (according to Wojnarowski). Also, Chicago signed Noah to a five-year, $60 million extension, making it even more unlikely that the team would trade him.

Noah has been out since mid-December with a torn ligament in his right thumb.

While New York is 'Melo's preferred destination, it appears as though Chicago is his second-place landing spot. The Nets are third, if there are that many spots. In Chicago, Anthony would be able to play with young point guard Derrick Rose.

Does Carmelo Anthony Want To Meet With The Nets?

Though there were reports during yesterday's Nuggets game that the team has given the New Jersey Nets permission to speak with Carmelo Anthony, the Nuggets star claims to have no idea about a potential meeting with the Nets' owner, Mikhail Prokhorov. From CBSSports' Ken Berger:

Asked what his desire is, Anthony said, "I don’t want to talk to nobody. I let the front office handle that type of stuff. It ain't my job to be talking to New Jersey, New York, the Lakers, Dallas, no one. That’s not my job to do."

Either Anthony is being coy about wanting to play with the New Jersey Nets or he really has no desire to sign a three-year, $65 million extension with them to forgo free agency. If the latter is the case, the Nuggets may not find any acceptable trade partner except in the New York Knicks, who are Melo's preferred destination.

However, the Knicks could just sign Carmelo Anthony as a free agent should the Nuggets be unable to move him before the trade deadline. That way, the Knicks would not need to give up any part of their current roster and the Nuggets would wind up like the Cavaliers and the Raptors this past offseason: receiving basically nothing in return for their star player.

Reports of the Knicks involving the Memphis Grizzlies' O.J. Mayo in a three-team deal for Carmelo have proven to be a non-starter.

Report: Nuggets Will Allow Nets To Speak With Carmelo Anthony

If New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov is indeed the driving force behind a Carmelo Anthony trade, he may get his chance to take his case directly to "Melo. According to NBA.com and TNT analyst David Aldridge, sources claim the Denver Nuggets have granted the Nets the right to speak with Anthony. This would not be considered tampering because of the permission the Nuggets have reportedly given the Nets.

The biggest stumbling block in finishing a multi-team deal for Anthony is not the players involved; rather, it is that 'Melo has yet to give any indication that he will sign a three-year, $65 million dollar extension, allowing the Nets to retain his services instead of letting him walk this summer in free agency.

During the pregame portion of ESPN's Sunday Night NBA broadcast of the Nuggets-Spurs game, there was a quick report that Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri told Lisa Salters that "nothing is imminent" on the 'Melo trade front. However, if Aldridge's sources are correct, this move appears to show that the Nuggets are ready to accept the Nets' trade offer.

Prokhorov and Nets GM Billy King will need to give the hard sell to Anthony when they meet with him.

Carmelo Anthony Rumor: Will The Nuggets And Nets Work Out Deal Early Next Week?

While the New York Knicks attempt to lure the Denver Nuggets into a three-team trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, centering on Carmelo Anthony and O.J. Mayo, reports now claim that the Nuggets and the New Jersey Nets could reach agreement on the proposed mega-deal for 'Melo.

Al Iannazzone of the Bergen Record reports that this trade could be finished early next week, possibly after the Nets end their current road trip on Monday. Because of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day the NBA league offices are closed over the weekend and on Monday.

The Nuggets would receive two first-round draft picks from the Nets, as well as rookie forward Derrick Favors, point guard Devin Harris, Anthony Morrow and three other players. The Nets would receive from the Nuggets Carmelo Anthony, point guard Chauncey Billups, forward Shelden Williams and Anthony Carter. The Pistons would send Richard Hamilton and DaJuan Summers to the Nets for Troy Murphy, Johan Petro and a second-round draft pick.

The Nuggets would also need to end their attempt to include All Harrington in this deal, possibly.

And, as always, Carmelo Anthony needs to agree to a three-year, $65 million extension for the trade happens. Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears reports that Anthony still needs the Nets to demonstrate the team's vision for its future.

Carmelo Anthony Rumor: Knicks Looking to Involve Memphis Grizzlies, Add O.J. Mayo To Any Deal

The New York Knicks are still interested in trading for the Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony, but now it appears the Knicks are looking to work out their own three-team deal to land the NBA star. ESPN's Chris Broussard reports:

There is no word yet on what the Knicks would send to Memphis in order to get Mayo and then send him to Denver. It appears as though these talks involving the Grizzlies are not far along and there is still much to be worked out.

O.J. Mayo, who played his college ball for the USC Trojans, was drafted third overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2008. But on that same day, the T'Wolves sent Mayo, Greg Buckner, Marko Jaric and Antoine Walker to Memphis for Brian Cardinal, Jason Collins, Kevin Love and Mike Miller. Love has emerged as a force to be reckoned with during his 2010-2011 season.

Mayo, though, is having a bit of a touch time in 2010. He's become a player coming off the bench this season, averaging 12.7 points per game. In his previous two seasons, he averaged 18.5 points and 17.5 points.

Mayo was recently involved in a fight with teammate Tony Allen, which led to banning gambling on team flights.

Will a change of scenery to anywhere help Mayo? The bigger question, at least in terms of making a deal happen is if the Nuggets really want Mayo. Let's see if this rumor has any legs.

New York Knicks Reportedly Still Angling For Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony

With the proposed Carmelo Anthony-to-New Jersey Nets deal seemingly faltering, the New York Knicks are still looking to trade for the Denver Nuggets' star, according to the NY Daily News. Frank Isola has an idea on what a trade would look like:

A deal for Anthony would likely have to include two of these three starters -- Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Landry Fields -- plus Eddy Curry's expiring contract and at least one first-round pick. The Knicks may also have to take on a player with a long-term contract. Al Harrington could be that player.

Al Harrington has been a stumbling block in the Nuggets-Nets-Pistons deal because the Nets do not want to take on the hefty remains of his contract, which was signed back in the summer. The Knicks would also need to find another first-round draft pick to include in the deal.

Gallinari is a 6-foot-10 forward in his third NBA season, averaging 15.3 points. He was the sixth overall pick in 2008. Guard Landry Fields was the ninth pick of the second round in the 2010 draft. His 10.2 points and 7.4 rebounds are an encouraging show of talent for the rookie.

According to all reports, 'Melo's preferred destination is New York, which would make any such deal all but a foregone conclusion.

Report: Carmelo Anthony Has Not Given Any Approval To Proposed Trade To Nets

The proposed mega-deal that would send the Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups to the New Jersey Nets as part of a three-team scenario has hit a wall, and it is over that pesky need for 'Melo to sign an extension with the Nets for it to go down.

ESPN's Chris Broussard tweets that Carmelo Anthony has not told anyone (at least so far) that he will sign an extension with the Nets:

That's the rub that has been overlooked in every trade scenario. Even if the Nuggets, the Nets and all the other teams involved have agreed on the players to trade, Carmelo Anthony still needs to agree to a three-year, $65 million extension.

The proposed trade involves the Detroit Pistons to balance out salaries, expiring contracts and draft picks. The Nets would receive Anthony, Billups, Anthony Carter, Shelden Williams and the Pistons' Richard Hamilton. In return the Nuggets would receive rookie Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, Anthony Morrow, several other players and two first-round draft picks (from the Nets). The Pistons would receive Johan Petro and Troy Murphy from the Nets, as well as a draft pick.

However, the Nuggets are also insisting the Nets take the contract of Al Harrington to make this deal happen. Well, as long as 'Melo signs the extension. Maybe momentum isn't on the side of this deal either, but sooner or later the Nuggets and Carmelo Anthony need to find an answer to this impasse--be it a trade to Jersey or the Knicks or the Houston Rockets.

Is Nets Owner Mikhail Prokhorov Driving Force Behind Carmelo Anthony Trade?

While the Denver Nuggets, the New Jersey Nets and the Detroit Pistons work out the remaining details of the mega-deal involving Carmelo Anthony, it is worth asking who or what the driving force behind this deal is. Put aside 'Melos desire to leave Denver, it appears that the Nets' owner, Mikhail Prokhorov may be the most important factor in this trade.

According to Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski, Prokhorov wants to make a big splash as new owner in the NBA and acquiring Anthony would be a huge deal. It makes sense for him to pull out all the stops in acquiring Anthony. He would be able to demonstrate that he can compete with the Knicks in New York. Plus, the Nets will move to Brooklyn soon, and having an NBA star in that borough would be a huge draw.

This could be why the Nuggets are taking their time in finishing this deal. If Prokhorov wants Anthony that badly, then the Nuggets can attempt to squeeze as much out of New Jersey as they possibly can. Oh, and Anthony still needs to sign that three-year extension for all this to happen.

Report: Nuggets Want Nets To Take Al Harrington; NJ Doesn't Want Harrington's Contract

ESPN's Chris Broussard reports that the Denver Nuggets want the New Jersey Nets to take Al Harrington in this proposed mega-deal for Carmelo Anthony. However, the Nets do not want to on Harrington's contract, which has four years and $28 million left on it. Broussard believes that the Nets would like to find a fourth team that would be willing to take Harrington's contract, but would prefer that Denver drop Harrington from the deal.

Harrington has come off the bench for the Nuggets, averaging 12.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. He had a thumb injury around the New Year that kept him out for several games, but has seen an increase in playing time lately.

The Nets and Pistons have not yet come to an agreement over which round the draft pick Detroit receives for also taking Johan Petro.

Will the Nuggets continuing to drag their feet on this trade make a last-minute collapse possible? Stay tuned.

Carmelo Anthony Trade: Richard Hamilton's Inclusion Key For Melo; Billups Uneasy Over Trade

Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the inclusion of the Detroit Pistons' Richard Hamilton in the proposed mega-deal is a key part in Carmelo Anthony accepting the deal. According to Wojnarowski's source, Melo "wants to play with Rip [Richard Hamilton]." This appears to be a large part in Melo's softening stance to sign an extension with New Jersey. The Nets would acquire Hamilton in exchange for the expiring contract of Troy Murphy.

Hamilton is in his 12th NBA season and has been with the Pistons since the 2002-2003 season. He is averaging 13.5 points a game this season, which id down from his 17.7 career average.

Chauncey Billups, who has continually expressed a desire to stay in Denver, could have all of his 2011-2012 contract picked up in order to make the deal more palatable to him, Wojnarowski adds. A buyout, though, still remains a possibility.

Unlike the September trade between the Nets and Nuggets that ultimately fell through, there's a growing sense that almost nothing will stop this one.

Report: Carmelo Anthony Trade Involving Nuggets, Nets And Pistons 'Pretty Close'

The rumored mega-deal involving Carmelo Anthony, the Denver Nuggets, the New Jersey Nets and the Detroit Pistons could be close to happening, possibly within days, according to a report by Nets beat writer Al Iannazzone. Iannazzone quotes two unnamed sources:

"It’s pretty close," said one league source.

"Something could get done in the next 48 hours," another NBA source said.

The deal would likely involved 15-to-17 players as well as numerous draft picks. The outline of the deal follows what has already been reported: The Nuggets would receive Derrick Favors, Devin Harris and two first-round draft picks from the Nets. The Nets would receive Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups from the Nuggets and Richard Hamilton from the Pistons. The Pistons would receive Troy Murphy and his expiring contract, something the Nuggets have not wanted.

Now we know which players the Nuggets might receive from the Pistons: Anthony Morrow, Ben Uzoh and Stephen Graham. Additionally, the Nets would receive Anthony Carter and Shelden Williams from the Nuggets.

But, according to the report, the Nets would like the Pistons to take Johan Petro, who they don't want. And even if all the teams involved can work out the players involved, the salary swaps and the draft picks, Melo still needs to sign his three-year extension for this deal to work out.

Report: Nuggets, Nets, Pistons Discussing Mega-Deal For Carmelo Anthony; Chauncey Billups Possibly Included

The New York Post, for what it's worth, reports that the Denver Nuggets, the New Jersey Nets and the Detroit Pistons are discussing a three-team trade centered on the Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony. If this trade is consummated, it is possible that up to 17 players could be involved, though the names of all the players involved are not yet known.

What is known is that the Nuggets would receive the Nets' Derrick Favors, Devin Harris and at least two first-round draft picks. The Nets would receive Anthony and point guard Chauncey Billups from the Nuggets and Rip Hamilton and Terrico White from the Pistons. When more details emerge, it will appear as though the Nets will completely upend their roster.

But as always, even if the teams can work out the players and salaries that need to be moved, Carmelo Anthony would still need to sign a three-year extension for the trade to go through.

That Chauncey Billups is now included in Carmelo Anthony trade discussions could indicate that the Nuggets do not want to bring Billups back for next season. Harris would then be able to team with Ty Lawson at point guard.

Report: Nuggets Talked Three-Team Deal With Cavaliers, Nets To Trade Carmelo Anthony Before Christmas

ESPN's Chris Broussard reports that the Denver Nuggets were close to a three-team deal involving the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New Jersey Nets to trade Carmelo Anthony before Christmas. The Nuggets wanted to find a third team to take the expiring contract of the Nets' Troy Murphy, which the Cleveland Cavaliers appeared willing to take.

But what stopped the trade from being consummated? A first-round draft pick:

Beyond the sticking point of Anthony accepting or refusing to sign the long-term extension with New Jersey, the deal fell apart because both Denver and Cleveland wanted the 2012 first-round pick the Nets got from Golden State in the Marcus Williams trade. That pick is protected through the first seven slots.

Overall, this trade would have involved players previously mentioned in trade possibilities. The Nuggets would have received the Nets' Derrick Favors, Devin Harris and three future first-round picks. The Nets would have taken back Anthony, Al Harrington and the Cavaliers' trade exception.

Broussard's sources also indicate that the Nuggets wanted to move Devin Harris, a point guard, to the Portland Trail Blazers for Andre Miller and Nicolas Batum, but Portland is unwilling to trade Batum. The Nuggets' interest in Batum was noted by Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski a week ago.

We're just under two months before the NBA trade deadline. The Melo Rumor Carousel continues.

Report: Nuggets Seek Five Future First-Round Draft Picks For Carmelo Anthony

While the Denver Nuggets are holding off on trade discussions involving Carmelo Anthony until next week, Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Nuggets are seeking five future first-round draft picks in any deal. Wojnarowski quotes one unnamed executive who doesn't believe that will ever happen, but the Nuggets' front office is serious about this:

Even so, Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke and general manager Masai Ujiri privately insist they’re going to make a team pay a steep price for their franchise player.

If the Nuggets really do want five future first-round selections, then one or two other teams will need to be involved. Apparently, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Portland Trail Blazers have attempted to insert themselves into a potential deal, but they have proven fruitless thus far.

Wojnarowski believes Denver's preferred package is a deal involving the Nets' Derrick Favors and Trail Blazers' Nicolas Batum, but Portland is reluctant to trade Batum and the Nets have been unable to find a third team to take Troy Murphy (who is a required part of any deal) and his expiring contract.

We have about two months until the trade deadline and these rumors are going to keep growing in scope. Which one will turn out true?

Report: Nuggets, Nets Working On Multiteam Trade For Carmelo Anthony

Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Denver Nuggets and the New Jersey Nets are discussing a new Carmelo Anthony trade proposal. This trade would, Wojnarowski's source claims, lead Anthony to sign an extension with the Nets:

Anthony is inclined to accept a trade and contract extension with New Jersey over his preferred choice of New York only if the Nets are able to bring back a package of significant talent with him, league sources involved in the talks said on Monday.

However, there is much still left to be determined. The Nuggets' power forward, Al Harrington, is the only new name to emerge in this deal. The Nets would still send rookie Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy and multiple first-round picks. The other teams or other players involved are not yet known.

However, Wojnarowski posits that three other players could be on the move in this possible deal: Nets point guard Devin Harris and the Nuggets' Chauncey Billups and J.R. Smith. Billups is averaging 14.4 points, his lowest since the 2001-02 season with the Timberwolves (12.5). Second-year player Ty Lawson has filled in nicely for Billups, who is currently out with a wrist injury. Trading Billups in any possible deal.

If such a deal between the Nuggets, the Nets and as-of-yet unnamed teams emerges, Wojnarowski's sources believe a deal early in January 2011 is possible.

Source: Carmelo Anthony Will Only Sign Extension If Traded To New York Knicks

ESPN’s Chris Sheridan is reporting that Carmelo Anthony has informed the Denver Nuggets he will not sign the three-year, $65 million extension unless he is traded to the New York Knicks. Sheridan adds:

The source, using the most definitive language possible, confirmed what has been widely speculated around the NBA over the past two months as Anthony has been at the center of trade talks involving numerous teams.

Apparently, Sheridan’s source learned of this after the Nuggets’ loss to the Knicks on Sunday. Anthony scored 31 points in the loss, though Knicks fans did cheer for him before the game tipped off.

But does this eliminate the Nuggets’ chances of trading Carmelo Anthony? Sheridan indicates that the New Jersey Nets are essentially out of the running because Melo won’t sign an extension with them. However, it may be possible for the Nuggets to find a team that is willing to give up a good package in order to try and win it all this season.

Still, that has also been a possibility for several months now. In the end, all these rumors of the Knicks, the Nets or some other team are a rehashing of news we’ve heard over the last few months. It’s just being repackaged as new.

Report: Nuggets 'Have All But Decided' To Trade Carmelo Anthony

CBSSports.com’ Ken Berger reports that the Denver Nuggets will trade Carmelo Anthony before the Feb. 24 deadline if he does not sign the team’s extension:

But according to people with knowledge of the team’s strategy, if Anthony doesn’t agree to sign the three-year, $65 million extension by the Feb. 24 trade deadline, the wheels are all but certain to be put in motion to part ways with the three-time All-Star rather than lose him as a free agent and get nothing in return.

Berger’s sources indicate that Denver management believes Carmelo Anthony is willing to play out the season with the Nuggets in order to join the New York Knicks as a free agent in 2011. By doing this, Anthony would run the risk of whatever new salary cap restrictions may appear in the new collective bargaining agreement.

The New Jersey Nets are still a strong possibility, Berger’s sources believe, but Anthony would need to sign an extension to receive the package of Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, Kris Humphries and two first-round draft picks.

All in all, this isn’t groundbreaking news. There has been no official indication the Nuggets will trade Anthony, and this is more unnamed sources reporting.

The Denver Nuggets are 13-8 this season, and Anthony is averaging 22.8 points and 8.0 rebounds this season. As of late, Anthony has been in a shooting slump and has battled the flu.

NBA Teams Willing To Trade For Carmelo Anthony Without Contract Extension?

One of the basic understandings for the Denver Nuggets to trade Carmelo Anthony, that he signs an extension, may not hold true for some teams. ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports that several NBA general managers would be willing to take the risk of trading for Melo and then watching him walk in July:

A handful of team executives consulted this week by ESPN.com believe there are more than a few teams in circulation that would be willing to trade for Melo without getting his name on an extension, even though the risk of losing Anthony without compensation in July is precisely why countless league observers believe the Nuggets will eventually have to give in and give him up.

Stein goes on to suggest Dallas and Houston as two teams that might be willing to make a deal without Melo signing his extension; however, any trade would likely still involve another team or two to complete the swap.

However, Melo's extension continues to stay on the table and he can sign it any time he wants to do so. We keep hearing how Melo wants to leave, but so much can change over the next three months before the trade deadline and then before July when he becomes a free agent. In the end, Nuggets fans should keep faith in the belief that Melo will see that he has the best chance of winning by staying in Denver.

Nuggets Taking Stock Before Dealing Carmelo Anthony, May Wait Until Mid-December To Move

Ken Berger of CBSSports, who’s followed the Carmelo Anthony trade story as closely as anyone, reports the Nuggets are still trying to gauge how competitive they could be if they decide against trading their 26-year-old franchise cornerstone:

The next two weeks will be telling, with five games against teams that made the playoffs in the West last season – Dallas (twice), the Lakers, Suns and Trail Blazers. Rival executives have speculated that in some ways, [Masai] Ujiri’s job becomes more difficult if the Nuggets get off to a strong start. If that happens, it will be exponentially more difficult to sell an Anthony trade to the paying customers.

Indeed, taking a long-term view, losing might prove beneficial to the Nuggets in the season’s first few months, given how difficult trading Anthony in the midst of a playoff race is to justify to Denver’s fans. Through three games, Denver is 2-1

Berger notes, rather importantly, that the Nets, Knicks, and the rest of the NBA are “in limbo,” as far as Anthony trades are concerned, until Dec. 15. At that time, teams may trade players they signed as free agents this summer, which will “flood the market” with “tradeable assets.”

Report: Carmelo Anthony 'Hesitant' Toward Joining New Jersey Nets

Chris Broussard of TrueHoop reports that Carmelo Anthony is hesitant to join the New Jersey Nets and will wait until February to be traded:

I was told recently by sources close to Carmelo Anthony that he is hesitant about agreeing to a trade to the New Jersey Nets and that he is willing to wait all the way until the February trade deadline in an effort to force his way to the New York Knicks.

However, Broussard follows that almost immediately by writing that sources believe Melo would accept a trade to New Jersey so he could leave Denver as soon as he can.

In the end, this is the same old same old.

Carmelo Anthony: 'I Feel It's Time For A Change'

Carmelo Anthony believes he’s done everything he can in Denver and needs to move on to bigger and better things. According to Yahoo! Sports:

“They want to sit down and talk, but my thing is it’s way beyond this year,” Anthony told Yahoo! Sports. “It ain’t got nothing to do with the new GM, Josh, the players. For me, I feel it’s a time for change. If I do nothing now, I’m never going to do anything. I feel like my time is now to make a decision if I want to leave or if I want to stay.”

If the Nuggets don’t trade him during the season, Carmelo Anthony will walk away from Denver and leave the team with nothing in return. It appears as thought Melo believes there is nothing the Nuggets can do to keep him in Denver.

Nuggets Trying To Include Kenyon Martin, J.R. Smith In Carmelo Anthony Trade

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com says Denver wants to net young talent, multiple draft picks, and salary-cap savings when it finally trades Carmelo Anthony; that much hasn’t changed, and Berger is certain the Nuggets will relent and trade their All-Star small forward eventually. New, however, is word that the Nuggets aim to jettison power forward Kenyon Martin and shooting guard J.R. Smith in the deal as well. Martin, 32, and Smith, 25, are in the last year of their contracts.

Interestingly, Martin told Chris Tomasson of NBA FanHouse last month that he’s not anxious to get back on the court as he recovers from a knee injury:

Ain’t nobody in a hurry to give me a contract, so why would I be in a hurry to rush back and risk further injury?

Report: Camelo Anthony Trade To Knicks 'Has No Legs,' But Nets Deal Still Possible

Over at NBA.com, David Aldridge reports that a league source disputes a possible Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks trade:

A league source with knowledge of the New York Knicks’ thinking said on Wednesday that there were “no legs” to an ESPN.com report that the Knicks have made “significant” progress on a trade that would bring Carmelo Anthony to New York from the Denver Nuggets.

Aldridge goes on to mention that other sources still believe that New Jersey is Melo’s ultimate destination. Nets beat writer Al Iannazzone also supports this:

Knicks Not Yet Out Of The Carmelo Anthony Hunt

ESPN.com is reporting that the New York Knicks, an afterthought in the Carmelo Anthony trade talks because of their lack of coveted assets, have made progress over the past week in putting together a package that would enable New York to make a play for Anthony.

The offers the Knicks have proposed have always centered around packages including Anthony Randolph, the expiring contract of Eddy Curry and a first-round draft pick they would acquire from a third team, and New York has softened its stance on including forward Danilo Gallinari in a trade.

The most recent obstacle, according to the source, was for the Knicks to use one of those assets, likely Randolph or Gallinari, to acquire a player from a third team that the Nuggets value more highly than either of the Knicks forwards. The source said that obstacle can now be overcome, with the Knicks confident they can get their hands on a player the Nuggets would prefer.

Sources told ESPN that talks with New Jersey  may be weakening a bit as the Nets are growing less interested in including rookie Derrick Favors as a part of the package, a piece that would most likely be necessary for a deal between New Jersey and Denver to be made.

Carmelo Anthony: 'As Of Right Now, I'm Here'

The season is almost here and Carmelo Anthony is still a Denver Nugget, for better or worse. Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reports that Melo isn’t beaming with joy over still being in Denver:

But will he still be smiling come January if the Nuggets haven’t found him a new home?

“Anything can happen,” Anthony said Thursday morning. “As of right now, I’m here.”

That does not sound like a man willing to spend much more time in Denver. The Derrick Favors trade could still be revisited, but the Nuggets are looking for a better deal. However, Chicago and New York seem unlikely destinations at this point.

Report: Nuggets Still Shopping Carmelo Anthony, But Are They Asking Too Much?

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports that the Denver Nuggets are still shopping all star forward Carmelo Anthony but that the team might be asking too steep a price in return.

The Nuggets continue to aggressively seek trade proposals for Carmelo Anthony, but are finding the market to be limited based on the extensive haul of assets they are trying to get in return, multiple sources told CBSSports.com.

The challenge for the Nuggets, sources say, has been finding a replacement for Andrei Kirilenko in a multi-team deal that in all likelihood would still have Anthony going to New Jersey. Even after a four-team deal also involving Utah and Charlotte went dormant last week, the Nets are “still the team that has the assets and is the most motivated,” according to one person connected to the talks. But while the Nuggets remain “very actively” engaged in trade talks during what one source described as “the calm before the storm,” finding trade partners able to furnish what Denver is looking for — an established player, a young player, first-round picks, and cap relief — has proved to be a major challenge.

Magic Contacted Nuggets About Carmelo Anthony, But Wanted Chauncey Billups As Well

Steve Kyler of HOOPSWORLD reports that the Orlando Magic were indeed among the teams who discussed acquiring Carmelo Anthony from the Nuggets. Though Orlando was “aggressive” in its pursuit of the high-scoring forward, Kyler says the “[trade] talks died quickly” because the Magic also wanted Denver to include Chauncey Billups in the trade. “The Nuggets were completely not interested” in that arrangement.

The Magic may revisit trading for Anthony and Billups in the future, but it’s clear based on Kyler’s report that they want both players. If Denver is unwilling to part with both, then Orlando will likely end the discussions there.

Four Way Deal Dead, Nets Still Pursuing Anthony

The complicated trade between Denver, New Jersey, Utah and Charlotte is now officially dead, according to multiple sources. The complexity of the trade as constructed made it a long shot, but that is no longer an option for the Denver front office.

It appears that if a deal is to happen, it would be directly between Denver and New Jersey, as the Nets are still heavily pursuing Anthony’s services before the start of the season.

Denver Nuggets Now Looking To Philadelphia In Potential Carmelo Anthony Deal

With the proposed Nuggets-Nets deal at a standstill, the Denver front office is now looking toward the Philadelphia 76ers as a potential trading partner. From the Denver Post:

While a potential four-team trade that would send Carmelo Anthony to the New Jersey Nets is on hold, the Nuggets are also exploring moving Melo to Philadelphia for small forward Andre Iguodala, a league source said Sunday.

Iguodala, 26, is a 6-foot-6, 207-pound small forward. He played for Team USA in the World Championships this summer.

Nuggets media day is tomorrow. It’s going to be an interesting day, to say the least.

Denver Nuggets Appear To Be Holding UP Proposed Four-Team Deal For Carmelo Anthony

It now appears that the Denver Nuggets are the side keeping a deal from being consummated, according to All Iannone:

The Nuggets need to make a decision on a Melo trade before they reach the point on no return and wind up with very little. This current deal is top notch.

Report: Denver Is 'Dragging Its Feet' In Carmelo Anthony Trade Talks

Chris Broussard of ESPN.com reports on Twitter that the Denver Nuggets are taking their time to think through a potential four-team trade that would send star forward Carmelo Anthony to the New Jersey Nets.

Report: Proposed Carmelo Anthony To Nets Trade Won't Happen Tonight

Chris Broussard reports on Twitter that, despite some talk to the contrary, a reported four-team trade that would send Denver Nuggets star forward Carmelo Anthony to the New Jersey Nets will not be consummated Friday evening.

Report: Charlotte's Refusal To Trade D.J. Augustin Could Hold Up Melo Trade?

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports that a trade involving Denver Nuggets star forward Carmelo Anthony "gained momentum Friday night" but that there are still some hurdles to be cleared.

One impediment, sources say, is the Bobcats' refusal to include point guard D.J. Augustin in the trade. The Nets, who will be left without a starting point guard with Devin Harris going to Charlotte in the four-team scenario, don't necessarily view that as a deal-breaker. But sources say the Nets, the team that has been most aggressive in its pursuit of Anthony since it became known six weeks ago he wanted out of Denver, are concerned enough that they are continuing their attempts to pry Augustin from the Bobcats. If they're unsuccessful, another option would be to try to bring in another team.

"It could expand," one of the sources said.    

Structure Of Carmelo Anthony Nuggets-Nets Deal In Place

According to Nets beat writer Al Iannazzone, the structure of the proposed Melo deal is pretty much complete:

In the proposed deal, as we were told, the Nets would send Derrick Favors and Golden State’s 2012 first-round pick to Denver. It’s the pick they acquired in the Marcus Williams trade and is protected 1-7. The Nets also would send Harris and Jarvis Hayes, whose rights they didn’t renounce, to Charlotte, and Quinton Ross to the Jazz. In return, the Nets get Anthony, a three-time All-Star and career 24.7-point scorer, and third-year point guard DJ Augustin from Charlotte.

Hayes and Ross are included in this potential deal to meet salary cap rules.

This whole deal hinges on Anthony signing an extension with the Nets. Stay tuned.

Nuggets Working To Send Carmelo Anthony To Nets In Four-Team Swap

Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports the Nuggets and Nets are making progress in a deal that would involve Carmelo Anthony going to New Jersey in exchange for third-overall draft selection Derrick Favors and multiple first-round draft picks. The Jazz and Bobcats are also involved in the trade, as Denver would also acquire power forward Andrei Kirilenko, whose $17.8 million expiring contract could aid the Nuggets' rebuilding efforts, from Utah. The Bobcats would get Devin Harris from the Nets, and then send Boris Diaw to the Jazz.

Stein describes the talks between the teams as "serious," but there is one major obstacle that could halt this deal. New Jersey wants Anthony to sign a contract extension prior to being traded, so it must convince him that spending his prime years with the Nets is worthwhile. Without that extension, no deal will happen, and the Nuggets will be back to square one.

Carmelo Anthony Trade To The Bulls Won't Happen With Joakim Noah

Somewhat hidden in a Yahoo story about Bulls forward Joakim Noah wanting to stay in Chicago is a little nugget (sorry, I couldn't help it) on how the Nuggets feel about making a Carmelo Anthony deal with the Bulls.

While league sources said the Nuggets would demand Noah in any trade for Anthony, the Bulls have not shown any willingness to move their young center. Chicago officials have been in negotiations with Noah on a contract extension, but the two sides have yet to reach agreement.

While I have certainly resigned myself that Carmelo's days in Denver are pretty much numbered, the one thing that I don't want to see is the Nuggets front office take a lesser deal just because a deal needs to get done. Hearing that there will be no deal without Noah involved certainly makes me feel a little more confident that that won't happen.

New Jersey Nets Prime Candidate For Carmelo Anthony Trade

The New Jersey Nets appear to have the pole position as trade partners with the Denver Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony.

The sources say Anthony is willing to sign an extension with New Jersey and the Nets are ready to offer No. 3 pick Derrick Favors as well as the expiring contracts of Troy Murphy and Kris Humphries as well as “at least one future first-round pick.”

New Jersey GM Kiki Vandeweghe is very familiar with Carmelo Anthony’s skills, as he drafted him back in 2003 while employed as GM of the Denver Nuggets. Anthony may be more willing to sign an extension with his former employer, thus facilitating a trade.

Potential Suitors For Carmelo Anthony Lining Up

The Philadelphia Inquirer has published a new report, suggesting that the 76ers front office will be exploring a three-way trade with New Jersey and Denver in order to land Carmelo Anthony. In this scenario, the Nuggets' would obtain Andre Iguodala, a player such as Thaddeus Young, and expiring contracts.

While Kate Fagan, the author of the story calls such a scenario "very unlikely to go down", it is another sign that Anthony is a hot commodity on the NBA market.

SBNation.com has compiled a list of potential candidates, including Philadelphia, and the likely pieces they would move in an Anthony blockbuster.

The Nuggets reportedly want one top-flight young player, salary-cap relief and multiple draft picks. Many teams can put together a package like that. Those teams include:

• Chicago, though they seem unwilling to deal Joakim Noah.
• Houston, who could provide many of the top picks they received from the Knicks last year.
• The LA Clippers, who could trade someone like Eric Gordon and a package of picks.
• Minnesota (don't laugh), who has young players like Kevin Love, Wesley Johnson and even Ricky Rubio, as well as picks.
• New Jersey, who can deal Brook Lopez, or if not him, first-round pick Derrick Favors.
• New York, though they lack a lot of draft picks.
• Philadelphia, if they are willing to potentially give up on Evan Turner so quickly. They also have Jrue Holiday, Thaddeus Young and Marreese Speights. 
• Sacramento, though Anthony doesn't appear to be a good match with Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins.

Though this is all still speculation, the hot stove is certainly heating up quickly. Odds now appear to be heavily against Carmelo Anthony playing in a Denver Nuggets uniform for the 2010-2011 season.

Sources: Nuggets Listening To Offers For Carmelo Anthony

ESPN reports that the Nuggets have changed their stance on trading Carmelo Anthony recently:

The Nuggets still aren’t aggressively shopping Anthony and haven’t withdrawn their longstanding offer of a contract extension, but numerous sources told ESPN.com that Denver officials have in recent days let other teams know for the first time that they will listen to pitches after previously resisting such discussions.

If the writing wasn’t on the wall early, it certainly is appearing now. The Nuggets are preparing to trade Carmelo Anthony? When, not if appears to be the question now.

George Karl To Persuade Melo To Stay In Denver

While George Karl has yet to talk with Carmelo Anthony about his future with the team, the head coach of the Nuggets does have a message to deliver to his star player at some point. Speaking to the Denver Post during Broncos practice, Karl gave an idea on what he’ll tell Melo soon:

“[…]. I think we kind of need to stay together, in my opinion. It’s pretty easy: Stay together and figure it out. Right now, I don’t think Melo is going to be calling me for advice. Fortunately, it’s not my job to probably call him to talk about that situation. My job is to talk about basketball.”

The article also hints that the Nuggets’ media day on Sept. 27 could have Melo discuss his future in Denver at length.

ESPN: Carmelo Anthony, New Nuggets GM Still Haven't Met Face-To-Face

New Denver Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri made it quite clear in his introductory press conference that the plan was to sit down and talk to Carmelo Anthony about a contract extension.

That still hasn’t happened, however, according a report from ESPN’s Marc Stein.

Nuggets officials continue to believe that the sitdown will take place soon. Yet it’s worth noting that they likewise believed entering free agency July 1 that Anthony was close to signing the three-year, $65 million contract extension that Denver formally extended back in June before the draft.

The calls from other teams aren’t going to stop coming in no matter what, but the vigor with which the vultures circle only grows with each new hint of extension resistance from Melo.

I don’t know if I’m reading too much into all of these reports, but it seems more and more likely Anthony is ready to leave Denver.

Chicago Bulls Interested In Anthony, May Be Willing To Part With Noah

According to internal reports, the Chicago Bulls front office has discussed trading for Carmelo Anthony, and may be willing to give up PF/C Joakim Noah.

Noah, a former Florida Gator and NCAA champion, would fill a need for bigger players with length, something Denver has lacked in recent years. He is also cost controlled at $3.1 million this season, becoming a restricted free agent in 2011.

This report also coincides with earlier discussion that Anthony would like to be traded to either Chicago or New York.

For more in-depth discussion, visit Denver Stiffs

Report: Carmelo Anthony Wants To Be Traded To The Bulls Or Knicks

Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Denver Nuggets all star forward Carmelo Anthony would like the Nuggets to trade him to one of two big market eastern conference teams.

Carmelo Anthony still hopes to persuade the Denver Nuggets to trade him, preferably to either the Chicago Bulls or New York Knicks, an NBA source with knowledge of Anthony’s wishes told Yahoo! Sports.

The Knicks have limited assets to offer the Nuggets, which makes the Bulls a more appealing potential trade partner. The Bulls can offer a replacement small forward in Luol Deng, as well as two young forwards in James Johnson and Taj Gibson.

For everything Denver Nuggets, head over to SB Nation’s DenverStiffs.com. 

Nuggets Reportedly Not Fielding Trade Offers For Carmelo Anthony

Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports that the Denver Nuggets have yet to make Carmelo Anthony available in trade discussions with other teams, signaling that the Nuggets have not reached a point of no return, so to speak, with their All-Star forward. From Stein:

Yet sources tied to five potential Anthony suitors, reached in recent days by ESPN.com, all relayed the same story about the Nuggets’ response: They’re pretty much ending these conversations before they even start by saying that they don’t want to engage in Melo talks.

Stein cautions that the situation is fluid and could change at any time, but for now, Denver won’t even entertain the possibility of dealing Anthony.

In Carmelo Anthony Trade Discussions, Nuggets 'Asking For The World'

Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri recently spoke with Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports, and as Spears reports, Ujiri is committed to convincing Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony to sign a contract extension with Denver rather than looking for greener pastures as a free agent next summer.

But while Ujiri wouldn’t say anything substantial about the possibility of trading Anthony before he can jilt the Nuggets, Spears does cite a “league source” saying Denver was "asking for the world” when teams called to inquire about Anthony’s trade availability. In other words, don’t expect a firesale.

Spears’ report includes more of Ujiri’s comments on other subjects, including how the absence of head coach George Karl down the stretch last year affected the team. It’s an insightful and worthwhile read.

Video: New Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri Talks About Carmelo Anthony At Introductory Press Conference

Ujiri Masai, the new general manager of the Denver Nuggets, was introduced at a press conference Tuesday afternoon and, of course, the issue of Carmelo Anthony came up.

Masai didn't say anything groundbreaking, but the following quotes may shed a bit of a light on the new GM's decision-making process.

"I'll wait and talk to Melo and see what he has to say. I think so far things have been positive. There's been a lot of speculation, but hey, that's how it works in our business."

"It's a process," Ujiri said. "Until he tells me that, we want him back, the city wants him back, ownership wants him back. I think they've done a great job here. He's been here seven years, seven years in the playoffs. What he's brought to the city is positive and I think he'll build on that."

Hopefully the "process" doesn't take too long to come to a close.

Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri Seeks To Meet With Carmelo Anthony

Recently hired Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri is already working hard to resolve his team’s tenuous situation with superstar Carmelo Anthony, who reportedly has made it clear he does not want to sign Denver’s contract extension offer and instead wants to continue his career elsewhere. Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports fills us in via this Twitter message:

We’ll see if Ujiri can convince Anthony that securing his future in Denver is his best option. He might just have it in him; shortly after the Nuggets officially hired Ujiri, Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post wrote, “Anthony and Ujiri have had a solid relationship” based on Ujiri’s serving as a Nuggets scout from 2003 to 2007.

Report: Nuggets Looking At T-Wolves, Kings, Nets In Possible Carmelo Anthony Deal

Sam Amico tweets that the Nuggets have three teams they would explore trading Melo to:

However, the reality is Anthony’s contract expires at the end of the 2010-11 season, and none of those teams would want to surrender young talent for a guy who may only play with them for a year. Nor is Anthony likely to agree to an extension just so the Nuggets can ship him to basketball Siberia.

Man, this situation gets more complicated with each passing day.

Yahoo: Carmelo Anthony Told Josh Kroenke He Wants Out Of Denver Over Weekend Meeting

Carmelo Anthony and new Denver Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke met over the weekend to talk about the direction the two entities were headed.

Apparently the meeting didn’t go well, however, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski.

Denver was furnished with a short list of teams and told to get to work. Yes, this how William Wesley and Leon Rose of CAA work now, thick with threats and ultimatums and a swagger suggesting that the sport belongs to them. After Anthony told owner-in-waiting Josh Kroenke that he still wanted out of Denver during a Sunday meeting, the Nuggets appear done trying to sell their All-Star forward on a contract extension.

This wasn’t a productive, nor particularly pleasant, meeting and multiple sources said it could turn out to be the point of no return for Anthony and the organization. Sources insist it’s no longer a matter of if the Nuggets trade Anthony, but when, where and for whom he’s traded for.

If this report is true, it could hamper the Nuggets bargaining power since other teams know that the Nuggets will be forced to move Anthony regardless.

What could the Nuggets get for Anthony? Wojnarowski has a host of possible destinations that could also include J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin, leading the Nuggets to start anew.

The Nuggets made it clear to teams they want young players and draft picks for Anthony, league executives said. The New Jersey Nets and Los Angeles Clippers have emerged as the two most probable destinations for Anthony because they have assets that appeal to Denver. The geography works for Anthony because of his wife LaLa Vazquez’s entertainment career.

Golden State and Houston are contenders, too. What’s more, the Charlotte Bobcats are a sleeper because of Anthony’s Brand Jordan shoe deal and the team’s ability to give the Nuggets a salary-dump proposal.

If it isn’t ugly yet – and judging by the entire Wojnarowski article, it is – it soon will be for those following the situation.

Speculation: Melo To The Clippers? Really?

Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post is reporting that it’s a “possibility” that the Nuggets trade forward Carmelo Anthony to the Los Angeles Clippers, the world’s worst sports franchise, if they are unable to agree to a contract extension.

Meanwhile, if the Nuggets cannot convince Carmelo Anthony to sign an extension with the team and they decide to trade him at some point, could it be to the Los Angeles Clippers? I’m hearing it could be a possibility. It would get both he and his wife, La La, out to where entertainment opportunities are plentiful, which is key factor in their decision to want to move on. The Nuggets might be able to get a good young player or two or draft picks, and Anthony would be able to play on a team with some good up-and-coming talent.

Beep! That’s a reaching foul on Mr. Dempsey. In this day and age when star players are able to choose their destinations and decide their fate more than ever before, it’s almost unfathomable that a player of Anthony’s caliber would wind up on a team of the Clippers caliber, regardless of which D-List celebrity is calling the shots in his relationship.

Nuggets Executive Meets Carmelo Anthony In Baltimore

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports that the Denver Nuggets have reached out to star forward Carmelo Anthony in an attempt to get him to buy into the organization’s future.

Denver Nuggets executive Josh Kroenke met with Carmelo Anthony(notes) in Baltimore over the weekend and restarted the process of selling the disgruntled star on signing a contract extension, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

No resolutions were reached, sources said, but Kroenke, the owner’s son, has undoubtedly emerged as a far more powerful voice in the franchise. His burden is unmistakable now: As a 30-year-old on the cusp of taking over majority ownership of the Nuggets, he must sell the All-Star forward on staying the course with the Nuggets.

For everything Nuggets, head over to SB Nation’s Denver Stiffs.

Chauncey Billups Talks To Carmelo Anthony About Staying In Denver

Earlier we noted that Nuggets head coach George Karl is all about keeping Carmelo Anthony in Denver. He’s not alone (by a longshot). Today, Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post writes that Denver point guard Chauncey Billups is joining the campaign to keep ’Melo in the Mile High City.

“I’ve had some very direct conversations with him that I would never share that with anybody else,” said Billups this morning from his hotel room in Spain as he and the U.S. basketball team prepares to face Lithuania Saturday night in Madrid.

Billups also hinted that those conversations were positive.

“He has not once said he didn’t want to be a Nugget,” Billups said. “He loves Denver, he loves the Nuggets, he loves the fans. So, it’s a part of him that I’m sure is eating him up a little bit because he’s taken all this press and he’s not said one thing to support or to not support what they are saying. He’s just trying to enjoy his summer, chill out and he’s in every story. Honestly, I think that the publications and things are out of control.”

Surely those are reassuring words for the City of Denver, even if they are not totally conclusive.

George Karl Wants Melo To Stay In Denver

Is all of this talk of Melo wanting out of Denver just “summer talk”? According to this ESPN.com article, head coach George Karl hopes all this Melo speculation is idle talk:

“A lot of the summer talk never comes true. That’s what I’m hoping is going to be the case with Melo,” Karl said.

Without any games being played, there really is a lot of idle speculation flying around. Let’s hope Karl is right on this one.

Melo Interested In Houston Or Jersey?

While New York might be the place that interests Melo the most, other speculation has come out. According to Chris Mannix, a source informs SI.com that Carmelo Anthony would be interested in two other teams:

Multiple league sources familiar with his situation told SI.com that Anthony would also be open to signing a long-term deal with Houston or New Jersey should either of those teams offer the Nuggets an acceptable trade package.

Melodrama indeed. Who wouldn’t want to play for a deep-pocketed Russian owner?

Melo Disputes Recent Analysis Of Wanting Out Of Denver

Carmelo Anthony’s recent tweet appears to run counter to all the reports from yesterday:

Funny how people come up with there own analysis of a situation. I tell you boy……. Unbelievable

As Denver Stiffs calls it, this is a waiting game.

Rumor: Carmelo Anthony Told Free Agent He's Leaving Denver?

Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld.com reports that Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, who has not yet agreed to a contract extension with the team, is apparently giving off indications he will not return to the Nuggets after his current contract is up.

Kennedy tweets, “One free agent from this summer showed interest in Denver but swears that he backed away because Anthony told him he’s leaving after season.”

While it’s safe to call this hearsay right now, there’s not been any indication that Anthony has done the type of recruiting star players often do to help their franchises land premier free agents.

ESPN: League Sources Say Anthony Leaving Just A Matter Of When, Not If

While the majority of the NBA’s top players made headlines as free agents this offseason, the Denver Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony is expected to garner the majority of the free agency headlines next season.

And, well, he’s not wasting any time according to a report from ESPN’s Ric Bucher.

League sources say it is now a matter of when, not if, Anthony and the Nuggets will go their separate ways.

Anthony is weighing whether to sign a three-year, $65 million extension offered by the Nuggets. His dilemma, league sources say, is what affords him the best chance of continuing his career elsewhere. Anthony could sign with Denver and convince the team to then trade him. His other option would be to not sign the extension, thereby forcing the team to move him rather than risk losing him next summer as a free agent.

In either case, “he’s going to make it real clear that he’s not coming back,” said one league source.

But both Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke and Anthony already are well aware that they don’t have a future together, sources say. That became clear to Kroenke at a reception after Anthony’s July 11 nuptials to La La Vasquez in Manhattan.

Bucher reported that Anthony’s agent, Leon Rose, could not be reached for comment and the Nuggets declined to comment.

As Time Passes, Chances Of Anthony Signing Nuggets Extension Dim

In this piece, Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post outlines the myriad ways in which Carmelo Anthony’s recent behavior bodes ill for the franchise:

These are some of the dots: He’s selling his Littleton estate; the constant reports of Anthony telling friends that he wants to play for the New York Knicks; his New York wedding; his East Coast upbringing; summer trade talk that has cropped up twice in his time in Denver, which hasn’t always made him feel wanted; oh, and not signing a contract that averages around $21.6 million per year for the next three years, a sizable amount of money that he may not be able to earn with a new collective bargaining agreement.

None of that information looks great for the Nuggets, but at least Anthony is saying the right things for now:

For the record, Anthony calls the New York speculation “rumors.”

“I’ve been hearing that for five years,” Anthony said. “I’m a Denver Nugget. I’m here, I’m with the Nuggets. I don’t become a free agent until next year, if I decide not to take that extension.”

It seems to me that if Anthony truly wanted to stay in Denver, he would have signed the extension by now. But we’ll see how the story plays out in the days and weeks ahead.

Uh Oh, Report Says Carmelo May Not Sign Extension

There isn't a whole lot to say here that hasn't already be said so I'll just go ahead and let HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy tell the story for me:

This is just a "sources say" rumor so far, but the fact of the matter is, if Melo is going to take the extension then why has he waited? When will he learn how the new CBA will effect his opportunities to make money elsewhere if he chooses not to sign this deal? Anthony will have all season to sign and stay with the Nuggets. But that certainly won't help anyone in Denver rest easy.

Report: 'Melo Nears Extension With Nuggets

It appears that Carmelo Anthony will indeed sign a three-year contract extension with the Nuggets, after much uncertainty and worrying from fans; just yesterday, Andrew Feinstein of Denver Stiffs, SBN Nation’s Nuggets blog, expressed his skepticism that Anthony would agree to an extension. From Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post:

Sources close to Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony have said that he expects to accept the team’s offer of a three-year, $65 million contract extension, and [Chauncey] Billups said Tuesday he shares that confidence.

An extension would keep the Nuggets’ franchise player in Denver through the 2014/15 NBA season and take him off next summer’s free-agent market.

Melo Expected To Sign Extension

The Denver Post now reports that, according to an NBA source, Melo is expected to accept the Nuggets’ contract offer, though there is no timetable on when the signing will take place.

Melo is looking for front court help, but Hochman writes that the Nuggets won’t make any moves until after the big free agent signings finish.

Melo, Nuggets, Talking Extension

Marc Stein's new report for ESPN.com is sure to delight Nuggets fans, as the veteran NBA scribe writes that Nuggets franchise small forward Carmelo Anthony is "eager to secure his future" with Denver and is negotiating a contract extension via his agent, Leon Rose:

The Denver Nuggets and Carmelo Anthony are making significant progress on a contract extension that would result in Anthony landing a new contract this offseason along with fellow 2003 draftees LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, according to sources with knowledge of the discussions. [....]

A three-year max extension worth more than $60 million could be announced within days of Thursday's draft, sources said. Another source estimated the timetable at "a couple of weeks."

The report should at least quell fans' fears of losing Anthony next summer. He sounds committed to Denver, and as Stein points out, it would behoove him to sign an extension now, under the current collective bargaining agreement, rather than wait and be subject to a drastically lower salary under the next one.

Report: Melo Serious About Signing Extension WIth Nuggets

Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post reports that a league source believes Carmelo Anthony is serious about signing the extension the Nuggets have offered. However, Melo wants some assurances that the team will help improve the front court.

Stay tuned for more, as Melo is only days away from marriage.

Melo Ready To Join Amar'e Stoudemire In New York

Amar’e Stoudemire is close to signing a long-term deal with the Knicks in the coming days, and he may not be the only addition to the Knicks if we believe his words. As reported in the NY Daily News, Stoudemire said:

“I’ve talked to Carmelo Anthony that he needs to come out here,” Stoudemire said. “I’ve talked to Tony Parker. Both guys are ready to join me if I decide to come here. So we will see if we can work it out.”

While it remains to be seen if Melo gets traded, Stoudemire is feeling confident that he’ll have a supporting cast around him in New York. But will Stoudemire stay healthy enough to play with any new players?

Could The Nuggets Consider Trading Carmelo If An Extension Is Not Reached This Summer?

Most of the discussion around the Carmelo Anthony trade talks have centered around when, not if, Melo would sign an extension to remain a Denver Nugget. He has been the centerpiece of this team since he was drafted and should remain so well into, if not for all of his career. However, as we get further and further into his current contract without an extension, Nugget fans may have to start accepting the possibility that Anthony would most likely be traded before he was allowed to hit the open market.

With an eye on how megastars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have held the league’s competitive balance in their fickle hands and turned this summer’s free-agency period into a three-ring circus, the Nuggets seem determined not to let Anthony do the same in Denver.

While their offer of a hefty contract extension proves the Nuggets hope Anthony will remain the face of the franchise for years to come, the team is prepared to trade Melo rather than let him walk as a free agent next summer, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.

Nuggets In "Advanced Stages Of Positive Discussions" Of Extension For Carmelo Anthony

Sam Amick of FanHouse.com adds his voice to the crowd reporting that Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets are close to reaching a contract extension.

According to sources with knowledge of the situation, the Denver star and the Nuggets are in advanced stages of positive discussions about a contract extension that would keep Anthony off the 2011 free agent market and in the Mile High City through 2015.

The three-year extension would be for a combined total of approximately $65 million, although it could not be executed until after the league’s moratorium is lifted on July 8. Anthony is believed to be leaning toward accepting the offer, thereby avoiding the uncertainty that comes with the possibility of a lockout in 2011.

Nuggets Offer $65 million, 3-years To Melo

Yahoo! Sports’ Marc J. Spears reports that Carmelo Anthony has received a max offer from the Nuggets:

Anthony told Yahoo! Sports he is reviewing the Nuggets’ proposal with his advisors, and wants to make sure the franchise is committed to improving before agreeing to sign the deal.

“I feel good about it,” Anthony said. “I appreciate them putting it on the table and wanting me to extend my career there. At the end of the day it’s about winning. If I feel I can win there, I will stay."

Hoepfully we’ll have an announcement for this deal in a few days.

Denver Stiffs Reviews Melo's 09-10 season

Nate Timmons of Denver Stiffs examines Melo’s past season and what to expect in his 10-11 campaign:

Melo is the franchise right now and he needs help. The Nuggets were sinking before Melo came aboard and the team is still trying to find the right combination to surround their star … will Denver find that combo before it’s too late? One thing we can be sure of … nothing will stop Melo from trying.

No doubt that Melo is the franchise right now, but he also needs to be the franchise for several years down the road. A Nuggets team without Melo would be a frightening experience and a regression to the pre-Melo years when the team spent high draft pick after high draft pick with out much success.