Anthony to Nets? Rumors continue

By Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Reports out of New York and New Jersey continue to focus on trade talks between the Nets and Nuggets, but there is no indication the Nuggets are intent on dealing forward Carmelo Anthony.

A Nuggets source recently dismissed the speculation and little changed Tuesday night when the Nets held their spot at No. 10 during the draft lottery.

Nets president Rod Thorn told The Star-Ledger (Newark, N.J.) that New Jersey "probably" will exercise the No. 10 pick, though the statement comes with a loophole.

By NBA rules, Anthony cannot be traded before June 30, when the base-year compensation restriction on his contract expires. The Nets could use the No. 10 pick June 26, then trade that player to the Nuggets in a prearranged deal.

Anthony's agent, Calvin Andrews, did not return phone or e-mail messages.

Nuggets coach George Karl has said the team is open to all possibilities after losing the first round of the playoffs for the fifth year in a row.

Karl's top priority, though, was recovering from left hip-replacement surgery Tuesday.

Karl went through two hours of surgery at Rose Hospital and is expected to be walking without a cane within 10 days.

If all goes well, Karl might attend the NBA Finals. His son Coby plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, who open their best-of-seven Western Conference finals series today against the San Antonio Spurs.

CYBER-SPENCER: Nuggets fans who enjoyed watching Spencer Haywood play in Denver might be interested in reading Haywood's opinion on the NBA playoffs and other sports- related topics.

Haywood, who won the ABA Rookie of the Year award while playing for the Nuggets during the 1969-70 season, is writing a blog on LegendsOfBasket ball.com.

One fact that might make Denver readers cringe: Haywood, who grew up in Detroit, is a big Red Wings fan.

• May 20, 2008

  8:48 p.m.

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  den2mke writes:

  Is it April 1st or something? Why is this story floating around still? This has to be the most moronic story I've ever seen. I mean, this has to be some NJ pipe-dream right? The Nuggets wouldn't actually consider this right?

  This would have to be the most lop-sided trade in the history of the league. And, even if one was frustrated about going out in Rd 1 (again) and wanted to blow things up, Melo would still be the last person you would move.

  I dismissed this story as wishful thinking on NJ's part but am getting nervous the more it hangs around...

• May 20, 2008

  9:27 p.m.

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  tmcd writes:

  I can see the logic in trying to trade Camby, but Melo?!?! NJ doesn't have anyone including the 10th pick to make that deal.... I hope.

• May 20, 2008

  11:09 p.m.

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  MeloMan1555 writes:

  These rumors are absolutely absurd and unfounded. It's obvious that newly hired GM of the Nets(Kiki Vandeweigh) started this rumor so people in New Jersey think he's some sort of mastermind who is about to pull off the most ridiculous heist in NBA history. This trade rumor is worthless and quite frankly an insult to the Nuggets, the fans and the players involved. Enough said.

• May 20, 2008

  11:30 p.m.

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  chiy writes:

  Notice all the rumors are coming from Jersey's end. Almost. The Nugs official position is that there is no chance of a deal. Only idiot Karl is leaving the door slightly ajar. He says the team is open to all possibilities. How about a new coach? Is that possible? How about drawing up a half court offense-- just one? Is that possible? Sure, I know… Denver is a running team. Gotta take advantage of the altitude. But does anybody run more during a game than Manu Ginobli? You can actually move if not run in a half court set also.

  Karl said a couple of years ago that rebounds don’t really matter until the fourth quarter. How is that possible? Don’t rebounds mean possessions? Don’t you need possessions in order to score and keep the ball out of the other team’s hands? How about rethinking a relationship with a coach who thinks rebounds are over rated? Is that possible?

  Anthony’s numbers have improved each year. Karl still hasn’t improved on Bzdelik’s playoff performance; and he’s lost the team. Just like everywhere Karl has coached, the team can’t stand him.

  Keep Anthony. Dump Karl.

• May 20, 2008

  11:33 p.m.

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  sll writes:

  Nugs' front office needs to come out and without-a-doubt squash this talk, otherwise where there's smoke there's fire... Warkentien needs to tell Kikikiki to shut up if indeed the Nets are stirring up a false maelstrom.
  Stan, you don't need to blow it up, just get a damn starting point guard!

• May 21, 2008

  6:10 a.m.

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  BalltownIA7 writes:

  I don't think this trade would address the main problem and that is a real point guard that is pass first and that can defend. Remember the West has PG's like, Paul, Parker, Nash, and D Will and that's where you have to start if you want to be at the top of the West. I would say we need to get rid of AI but I don't think anyone would want him or his contract. He's played very well here and has behaved himself but he is a liability. He dominates the ball and he can't one on one defend anyone because of his size and he isn't getting any younger. Plus I wish George Karl would take his new hip and step down and we could get Avery Johnson or someone in here that will demand defense.

• May 21, 2008

  7:42 a.m.

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  warrengfunk7 writes:

  Marcus Camby is playing Center at a level no other center can match right now. Trading Camby is not recommended...

  UNLESS...

  Denver can trade:

  -Carmelo Anthony
  -Marcus Camby

  FOR

  -Dwight Howard

  That would make since for Denver and anything of less value would be a BAD trade. This would open the door for A.I to move to PG, J.R. Smith to START at SG (assuming they re-sign him, which they will) and Linus Klieza to start at SF. Here's what that would look like:

  PG: A.I
  SG: J.R. Smith
  SF: Linus Klieza
  PF: Kenyon Martin
  C: Dwight Howard

  Bench:
  PG: Anthony Carter
  SG: Yakuba Diawara (good defense with a 3-point shot)
  SF: Edwardo Najara
  PF: Nene / Plus draft a PF/C with 1st Round pick
  C: Nene / Plus draft a PF/C with 1st Round pick

• May 21, 2008

  8:18 a.m.

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  mark79trans writes:

  Marshmelo has one year at most to learn team play. I doubt he will last past the trade deadline next year. The problem with keeping him is that he loses value with each selfish game he plays.

  Incidentally, the best point guard in the NBA can't do anything with the Nuggets until they learn to play as a team.

• May 21, 2008

  9:27 a.m.

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  jlacck writes:

  As I've said in another forum, making this trade is bad for the Nuggets in more than one way. For starters, the Nets don't have anything to offer of equal value to Carmelo Anthony and Marcus Camby (unless they throw Vince Carter and 2 first round picks in). Even then, that's still a bad deal because we would be getting rid of a premier young player who is still growing. (Hey I lost Vince just as much as the next guy but he's getting old)

  Secondly, trading Melo runs the risk of losing AI as well. One of the reasons AI welcomed a trade to Denver was because he wanted to play with Melo. If Melo leaves chances are AI will likely opt out of his contract and sign somewhere else.

  With all of that said, Denver stands a chance of losing 3 of our 5 starters all in return for a servicable SF (Jefferson) an ok PG (Williams) and 10th pick that we have no idea who it will be or whether or not he will pan out.

  If any GM (or GM wanna be) is really dumb enough to take the chance on losing 3 all-star caliber players in return for 3 mediocre ones... you really have to question the height of idiocy in this league.

• May 21, 2008

  9:32 a.m.

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  D_Dude writes:

  The ONLY blockbuster the Nuggets should be discussing, especially now that the Bulls have the #1 choice in the draft, is acquiring a real PG in Kirk Hinrich.

• May 21, 2008

  9:54 a.m.

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  Squatch writes:

  I hope this isnt true Melo is a slacker on the court but is a player that can do it all if he puts himself up to the challenge. If this happens it will be a repeat of the Mutombo deal, how long did it take the Nuggets to recover from that?

• May 21, 2008

  10:34 a.m.

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  CJax writes:

  Hopefully this will light a fire under Melo. I've defended him for years, but I can't do it anymore. He's an absolute slacker on defense, and obviously doesn't get it when it comes to his off-the-court life. One wonders if the Nuggets problems with playing uninspired ball don't start with Melo, who's supposed to be the leader. He's becoming more like Zach Randolph and less like LeBron James, even though his talent is limitless. Where's the fire and the leadership?

  Seeing as how Melo plays zero defense, you only need to replace his offense, and RJ can replace some of that. This season, he averaged 22.6 ppg to Melo's 25.7. That's not a big difference.

  Maybe the Nuggets get the Nets 10th and 21st picks, which can be turned into a higher pick. Then the Nuggets draft a good PG, of which there are several this year, and then a big man or perimeter defender. There's a lot of exciting players available, like Bayless, Augustin, Westbrook, Love, Randolph, Greene, etc. I would be excited to see the Nuggets with a real PG running the show, and maybe an athletic or offensively-gifted big man.

  I always thought Melo was the one untouchable asset the Nuggets had, and the player they should build around. But there is something seriously wrong with this team, and it needs to get shook up.

• May 21, 2008

  10:50 a.m.

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  rhsalas writes:

  Oh my god,a opportunity to send this bum back where he came from.
  This is a gift horse that the the nuggets can ill afford to
  pass up. Talent isn,t everthing, he is not labron james, nor will he
  ever be! He does not , i repeat does not make players around him
  better.

  ps:
  
  send camby too!
  r salas

• May 21, 2008

  11:32 a.m.

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  italiantony writes:

  rhsalas must be a nets fan.

  PS. lets switch spots with cleavland. the old lebron caviliers can come play in our division and we'll go play in his.see how far he gets in the west coast. and see how far we can go against those sub .500 playoff teams.

• May 21, 2008

  11:37 a.m.

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  Kslayer writes:

  Ship Melo out!!!!! He sucks here. He will never be a winner with the Nuggets. He would probably benefit from a trade. He isn't a leader, and thats what the Nuggets need. Melo will be good once he is on a team with a few true vetran leaders.

• May 21, 2008

  12:07 p.m.

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  d_dub writes:

  what people are forgetting is that Carmel cant shoot. he has no ball handling skills, and his defense is HORRIBLE,. Jefferson may be 4 years older but he's been to the finals TWICE, he's a better shooter ball handler and plays some defense. If they're not gonna get rid of Karl make a change somewhere DAMN. Its sad seeing only five playoff games a year for the Nuggets.

• May 21, 2008

  12:07 p.m.

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  italiantony writes:

  are you kidding Kslayer... you don't ship your best player out... ship some others out and get those vetran leaders your talking about on our team!

• May 21, 2008

  12:14 p.m.

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  d_dub writes:

  Come on italiantony!! just cause somebody scores ALOT doesn't make them the best player. if there's nobody else makin shots somebody has to step up.

• May 21, 2008

  12:31 p.m.

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  italiantony writes:

  d-dub best player on the nuggets team...yes. who else would you build the nuggets team around on our current roster? Iverson?? Camby??? He's the best we got and he is just turning 24 this month.

• May 21, 2008

  12:36 p.m.

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  Spider writes:

  Actually, Spencer Haywood won rookie of the year honors with the Denver Rockets, not the Nuggets.

• May 21, 2008

  12:41 p.m.

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  AIandMeloShow writes:

  The only Person the NUGGETS should be trading is GEORGE CARL, im sorry but if your coaching in the playoffs and you don't think its proper to yell at you players when they make stupid mistakes then you need to eject your self

  NUGGETS trade GEORGE CARL for JEFF VAN GONDY a defensive minded coach. THEY SHOULD HAVE PICKED UP LARRY BROWN before KNICKS

  If they have to trade MELO they should trade for D WADE; yes his team was the worst in the league but face it he will give you 100% before MELO.

  PEOPLE NOT TO TRADE IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE
  Iverson, Camby, J.R. Smith, Melo, and K-Mart

• May 21, 2008

  12:41 p.m.

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  italiantony writes:

  " Jefferson may be 4 years older but he's been to the finals TWICE, he's a better shooter ball handler and plays some defense."

  apparently you must be talking about a different Jefferson... last i checked Melo scores more points, has more rebounds, more assists, more steals, more blocks, and shoots a higher % per game then the Jefferson that plays for the NETS... O yeah and melo is younger.

• May 21, 2008

  12:54 p.m.

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  AIandMeloShow writes:

  ITALIANTONY are you kiddin me. AI is a must keep because he rarely has a terrible game unlike Melo bro, not sayin to trade Melo but anyday before AI. Camby is a must keep because in my opinion he is a 2x Defensive Player of the Year; the NBA is so segregational to the NUGGETS. They gave that award to KG to consule him for not having a chance at MVP. KG is the best but not Defensive over Camby and the Stats show it.

• May 21, 2008

  12:59 p.m.

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  AIandMeloShow writes:

  NEW JERSEY NETS need to crawl under a rock and die if they expect a trade with Nuggets for Melo

  In fact Net and Knicks need to shut down thier program and start a new program in a few years after rethinking their lives

• May 21, 2008

  1:03 p.m.

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  italiantony writes:

  I don't see where you are getting that i EVER said anything about trading AI and Camby??? I did say if you are starting to build a team around our current roster Melo is the one you build around.

• May 21, 2008

  1:04 p.m.

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  italiantony writes:

  o yeah that last post was for you AIandMeloShow.

• May 21, 2008

  1:04 p.m.

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  AIandMeloShow writes:

  coo jus don't bring up any trade type behavior concernin AI Camby

• May 21, 2008

  1:08 p.m.

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  AIandMeloShow writes:

  TRADIN GEORGE CARL IS DA BEST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN TO DENVER

• May 21, 2008

  5:36 p.m.

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  dano writes:

  Trading Anthony is like trading Bobby Jones for George McGinnis.

• May 21, 2008

  11:43 p.m.

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  rhsalas writes:

  (italiantony)? sounds like a chef from back east, not a longtime
  nuggets fan. Your out of your league when it comes to evaluating
  basketball talent. Find a cooking forum, there you might be able
  to hold your own. Also, learn to spell if forums are the only
  place where you can find meaningful conversation!
  
  rhsalas

• May 22, 2008

  7:05 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  italiantony writes:

  your an idiot rhsalas. all you can find to hit on my posts is that I put an I where an A was suppused to go.... go ahead i just had a typo again... look i put a U ^ where a O is suppposed to go and i ain't gonna fix it! you wanna talk about someone that has know idea of talent... your the one yelling trade Melo...repeat the first sentance of this post.