After Carmelo Anthony refused to sign the Denver Nugget's contract extension for millions of dollars, it became quite clear that the young small forward no longer wished to play in the mile high city. Sure, Carmelo could have been suggesting that the Nuggets pick up some more star talent to help him achieve a ring, but more likely, he simply wants to live in New York.
I don't really blame him. Denver is a great town, but if I was in my twenties, a multi-millionaire, and could live anywhere, I would probably pick Los Angeles, Miami, or New York. That being said, Anthony is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, which means that if Denver does not trade him, they get nothing in return if he walks away.
While I do have time to write a meaningless sports blog in the middle of the week, I don't have time to go through every team and contract to find the best fit for all. But I have a few ideas that might make everyone happy.
Trade Carmelo to the Lakers. The Nuggets would get Andrew Bynum, the 7 foot center, and Ron Artest. Ironically, ESPN leaked this story a few days ago, and while I wrote this blog in mid January, never finished my thought. The Nuggets would end up cutting Artest, and rebuilding with a big man to help Nene, and have some money to spend. The Lakers would trump Miami by puting Kobe, Carmelo, Gasol, and Odom together. Win another championship. Then lose Carmelo to New York, while getting rid of a 7 footer who is always injured, and an expensive and aging Artest.
Trade Carmelo and JR Smith to the Clippers for Gordon and two first round picks. First, Ha Ha Melo. You got traded to the Clippers. But for the Nuggets, Gordon is a rising star, and two Clipper picks means two lottery picks. The Clippers would have Melo and Blake, star power and playoff potential.
How about Carmelo to Cleveland, Milwaukee, Detroit, Toronto, New Jersey, or that Turkish team that Allen Iverson played for. How you like Denver now?
Or how about to Minnesota for Darko...straight up.
Trade him to the Miami Heat for Erick Dampier, then let them try to figure out the salary cap issues.
Trade him to the Utah Jazz, then ask him his favorite night spot.
In all seriousness, you can't trade Carmelo to a good playoff team because they won't want to give up good players, and their draft picks are too far down in the first round. Like him or not, the guy scores 30 a night, sells jerseys, and is starting in the all-star game. So Melo needs to be traded to either a lousy team with lottery picks, or average teams with two guys worth taking. How about to Houston for Scola and Kevin Martin? Milwaukee for Bogat and Jennings? Golden State for David Lee and Monte Ellis? Or New Orleans for West and Ariza?
To be honest, Carmelo is off to New York after the season is over. He's not coming back to Denver no matter what the rumor is. It's time for Denver to rebuild any way. Billups is aging. Kenyon Martin, Chris Anderson, and Nene are never healthy. JR Smith is a poor man's JR Rider. And not only can they not beat the Lakers, they can't beat San Antonio, Utah, or Dallas either.
Time to dump salary, get some draft picks and roll players....then do a Miami and buy the best available.
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