Rumors are swirling around regarding the futures of Denver Nuggets stars Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, and speculation even points to today as the day the mega deal is finalized. If the deal does go down today, and it impacts as many players as rumored, then the Nuggets will face the Phoenix Suns tonight as a shell of their former selves.
Melo, Billups, Al Harrington, Shelden Williams and Anthony Carter have all been mentioned in what is purported to be a 13-player, three team deal. If it happens today, and the rumors are true, then the Nuggets will be left with nine players on their active roster. Considering three of those players - Chris Andersen, Kenyon Martin and Ty Lawson - missed last game because of injury, the Nuggets could very well be playing with six guys: Arron Afflalo, Nene, Renaldo Balkman, Melvin Ely, Gary Forbes and J.R. Smith. Not what one would call an All Star team.
If the trade doesn't go down, and if everyone plays to their athletic ability, then we have a match up of the second and third highest scoring teams in the NBA. Led by Jason Richardson and Steve Nash, the Suns average 105.9 points per game, a fraction higher than the Nuggets 105.6 ppg.
Tune in tonight at 7:00 p.m. MT on Altitude to either see a depleted Nuggets, or one fo the final games in Melo's storied Denver career.