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Trade rumors wear on Anthony

Nuggets forward wants public promise he's staying

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published June 22, 2008 at 4:15 p.m.

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Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony talk during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.

Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony talk during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.

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Carmelo Anthony's agent reiterated Sunday he has received assurances the Nuggets won't trade the star forward but said Anthony still wants the team to make a public announcement.

Agent Calvin Andrews, though, isn't counting on any such statement to be made.

"(Anthony is) just tired of the rumors that are out there," Andrews said in a phone interview with the Rocky Mountain News. "He's just frustrated with the rumors. But NBA teams usually don't make public statements about trade rumors. He just wants (the Nuggets) to go public. But that's not their policy."

Andrews, who said he will fly today to Denver, told the Rocky last month the Nuggets assured him they are "not shopping" his client. He reiterated that Sunday, saying that vow even has been relayed from owner Stan Kroenke.

"Management has repeatedly told me they're not going to trade him," said Andrews, who, when asked who in management has told him that, said "everyone."

Still, rumors have persisted about Anthony being dealt. While Andrews said his primary purpose for coming to Denver is to support Anthony at a Tuesday hearing regarding his April arrest on suspicion of drunken driving, he still might have discussions with Nuggets brass about the trade rumors.

"I'm sure that trade stuff is going to come up, and they'll tell me for the 10th time they're not going to trade him," said Andrews, who said he has no formal meeting scheduled but likely would talk to the Nuggets, with Anthony's legal situation foremost on the agenda.

Andrews said he's likely to discuss potential penalties with the Nuggets. He's not anticipating Anthony, if convicted, would end up with more than a two-game suspension.

Anthony today will be in Chicago to officially be named to the U.S. Olympic team. He'll return to Denver tonight to prepare for the Tuesday hearing.

Andrews said Anthony, who wants to stay in Denver, regularly has asked him to get the Nuggets to publicly state they won't trade him. But Andrews said he has been unsuccessful.

"In response to your requests this weekend, as a matter of practice, I don't comment on rumors, trades or the NBA draft," Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien wrote Sunday to the Rocky in an e-mail.

Nuggets coach George Karl has commented publicly on the Anthony reports. When asked June 10, Karl didn't rule out the possibility of Anthony being dealt but said the Nuggets wouldn't do "something wild."

"We're going to keep all windows of opportunity and windows of advancement and betterment . . . open," said Karl, who has had some friction with Anthony, most recently when the player yelled at Karl on the bench late in a lopsided April playoff loss to the Lakers about Anthony not believing the coach was making enough moves.

Andrews said "everyone in the world has told me Detroit has made an offer and they want (Anthony)." Andrews said Denver rejected a recent offer from the Pistons but doesn't know the players involved.

ESPN.com reported the Nuggets turned down an offer of Denver native Chauncey Billups and Tayshaun Prince. But such a deal, without at least one other player being involved, wouldn't work under salary-cap rules.

"Obviously, a lot of it has," Andrews said of Anthony being bothered by trade rumors.

But Andrews, who said teams are calling about Anthony because he's a "hell of a player," doesn't anticipate the rumors distracting Anthony's play with Team USA.

Regarding Anthony's April arrest, Andrews said Anthony anticipates formally learning the exact charges Tuesday.

"Everybody is anticipating that," Andrews said of Anthony eventually being found guilty of something, which likely would result in an NBA suspension.

After then-Sacramento coach Eric Musselman was convicted of driving under the influence for an October 2006 episode, he was suspended by the NBA for two games.

"I wouldn't expect (Anthony) to get any more than that," Andrews said.

If Anthony's legal matters are resolved this offseason, any possible suspension likely would begin with the season opener.

Andrews fully expects Anthony to be with the Nuggets to start next season. But Anthony would like to hear the team publicly state that.

Comments

  • June 22, 2008

    4:32 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Gean writes:

    It will be great to have Melo back in Denver but I think he would be better off moving somewhere else so that he could have a real coach

  • June 22, 2008

    10:14 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    sickandtired writes:

    How about you publicly state something that you actually intend to DO first, Carmelo? Your apologies up to this point ring pretty hollow.

    Spoiled crybaby. Grow up or get out of town.

  • June 22, 2008

    11:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Chadley25 writes:

    Is this guy a prima donna or what??

  • June 23, 2008

    12:13 a.m.

    Gean writes:

    (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

  • June 23, 2008

    4:27 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Hambone writes:

    Damn, I'd like to fold in the clutch, get a DUI after being busted for weed, and then demand my employer publicly assure me of my position. What a joke.

  • June 23, 2008

    6:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    golfguy writes:

    If Carmelo Anthony could start doing all the RIGHT things on and off the court, he wouldn't have to worry about trade rumors.

  • June 23, 2008

    7:46 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    observer writes:

    I'm sorry to say this but I think we should trade Anthony, get rid of Karl and Camby. Anthony is a very selfish player and doesn't listen to any coach for very long. Karl doesn't know how to use the talent he has (which is essential for any good coach) and Camby plays primarily out in the perimeter (where's our inside presence?).

  • June 23, 2008

    8:02 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    chillywilly writes:

    I wish more players would do that. AI had trade rumors swirling for 7 years straight... I think its impossible to build around your star if your trying to trade him every year. Good move melo!

  • June 23, 2008

    8:13 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    fmikey writes:

    Nice one Gean...who's the idiot?
    Anthony is just another immature brat who thinks that what he does is important. Hambone said it all....
    Grow up Anthony, or go somewhere else. You're a mental 5th grader, and an embarassment to our city.

  • June 23, 2008

    8:19 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    dnugs_77 writes:

    At this point I would be accepting of almost any trade. Unfortunately this organization with 8 GMs won't ever make the move and the rest of us are stuck with a one-dimensional player.

    Hey Carmelo, why don't you start worrying about how to become more accountable. Say, play a little defense, pass out of the double team, rebound the basketball, show up every night, 'play every game like it's your last??'

  • June 23, 2008

    9:31 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    R8R_H8R writes:

    Oohhhh, he's tired of the rumors? That's sooo sad. Well, the fans are TIRED of his lack of ability to play Defense. TRADE HIM! Get a couple of Chicken Gorditas....anything!

  • June 23, 2008

    9:35 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jbowen43 writes:

    If I played in this city I would ban the local newspapers from my house and the local reporters from my space.

  • June 23, 2008

    10:44 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    kmeissner writes:

    Most of you people are morons. He's a superstar. His numbers grow with every passing year. He just needs to face reality and play defense. It won't happen until Karl sits him on the bench when he screws up on D. If he played even a little defense Denver could have a great team. You don't trade an olympic athlete!!!! Maybe the coach can get him to play some D during the Olympics and he'll come back a changed man?

  • June 23, 2008

    10:49 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    rscmac writes:

    If detroit wants him and are willing to give chauncy and prince i say you must make the deal it will only help the team. Carmelo does not pass the ball enough and he sure doesnt rebound good enough, plus while he is crying to the officials the person he is to be guarding is scoring. Please make a trade and get him out of

  • June 23, 2008

    10:55 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Nuggetsno1fan writes:

    As much as I had hoped it would work out with Melo, it looks like maybe the best thing to do is to move him. The Pistons deal didn't sound so bad. Chauncey is one of the league's premier point guards and he's a Denver native. Don't forget that Chauncey was the NBA finals MVP when Detroit won in 2004. Prince is a very versatile player who often defends the opponent's best offensive player. There were probably some other players we didn't hear about that were part of that proposed deal. We've got a team showing interest and offering real value. I think we should try to make that deal happen somehow. Supposedly Detroit is talking to Houston about T-Mac also.

  • June 23, 2008

    11:15 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    MisterD writes:

    Some of you don't have a clue, First you don't trade Melo for Chauncey. Chauncey is in his 30's has only a few years remaining (maybe 3). Prince doesn't score and you all act like Melo is a one man defensive problem. Can you say TEAM DEFENSE.....Also get rid of Karl who in the Marty Shottenheimer of the NBA, wins regular season games but not in the playoffs; see Seattle, Milwaukee,& Denver

  • June 23, 2008

    11:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Spider writes:

    I wish someone would take this kid under their wings and show him the ropes. Maybe he should dump lola or lolo or lala or whatever her name is.

  • June 23, 2008

    11:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    sspendlove writes:

    I'm waiting for Carmello to make a 'public statement' that he will listen to his coaches, and he will play defense, rather than whine about his agent only hearing 9 times that he will not be traded. I think Karl should bench him the first time he refuses to follow Karl's game plan. And the next time. And the next etc. until Mello gets the point. And he should be shown replays EVERYDAY of how the Celtics beat the Lakers (defense and TEAM play, with sacrifices of individual accolades by three top-tier players) until he gets it.

  • June 23, 2008

    12:50 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    moles3144 writes:

    Funny to me how the highest paid player ALLEN IVERSON who was supposed to bring this team farther then Anthony did in the previous 3 years avoids any critique. Trade for a washup Billups who played in a system that fit his style, and a gangly average Prince. Please Billups stunk when he was hear and Prince is another system player. Defense??? How about getting a Guard over 6' so they don't post up the Nuggets guard. They are instructed to give up baseline, when have you ever seen a team give up baseline??? Iverson goes for every steal or flops around, Martin is the only true defensive player on this team. Go ahead and get rid of Anthony and get ready for another round of Skita, LaFrentz and Nene type lottery picks.

  • June 23, 2008

    1:19 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    frontpage writes:

    MELO problems are with the media and public perception. The team's chemistry is overly analysized by wannabes and the no-talent or ex jock sports reporters. The Nuggets should recognize this. Hey, I can remmember when Michael Jordan was known as just high scorer who didn't have the will to win. How many years did it take the Bulls to start winning championships with Michael 6 or 7?

  • June 23, 2008

    2:29 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    LingLingfor_prez writes:

    Maybe we are just "weary" of your off-the-court issues.

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