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.