September 9, 2010
For a short while, it was unclear which way Anthony Carmelo would go. Was he a Duncan/Durant/Nowitski old school soldier - sign as a rookie, play hard, get better, re-sign, play harder, get rich, try to win, stay put? Or would he become part of the Boozer/James/Bosh new world order - sign, play hard, get better, look around, do endorsements, create a buzz, look around, air issues publicly, look around, go where the wind blows?
In August, Melo decidedly removed himself from the “no-drama-Durant” camp when the newly wed Nugget not so quietly refused to sign
Perhaps Anthony was expressing concern about the team’s future: a coach returning from his second bout of cancer; a vacant GM position; three key players, Martin, Smith, Afflalo, playing out final year contracts; an all-star point guard whose large contract could be cancelled at little expense to the franchise.
Or was he blinded by the Lebron James “I can’t get enough of me” spotlight?
Whatever the reason, Melo has dominated NBA news, and trade scenarios populated the blogosphere quickly. Stoking the rumor flames, Lady Lala (aka Mrs. Anthony) added: “
And the drama continued, as billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov chirped in with his “we can see
Unfortunately, for all the dreamers, Anthony is under contract and obligated to play for
That said, let the fun begin; here’s what is rumored to have been offered to
- Why
- Why
- Why it will happen: The Bulls and the Melo posse would do this in a heartbeat. If
- Why it won’t happen: Deng has a bad contract.
- Probability: 10%.
Note: If Noah is included in place of Deng, the probability increases dramatically.
- Why
- Why
- Why it will happen:
- Why it won’t happen: Melo stays in the west. But if all attempts to keep Melo are exhausted, this deal might have legs.
- Probability: 8%
NJ /
- Why the N.J. likes it: A big building block, providing instant respectability to attract free agents in the near future.
- Why
- Why it will happen: Shipping Melo east for young athletes and cap relief isn’t the worst option on the table.
- Why it won’t happen: This group may not get
- Probability: 7%
- Why L.A. likes it: Maybe this motivates Baron Davis to focus and play like a ‘06-‘07 Warrior. If so, Anthony,
- Why
- Why it will happen:
- Why it won’t happen:
- Probability: 5%
-
- Why
- Why it will happen: Both teams get players they want, with
- Why it won’t happen: If Melo (read: LaLa) is looking for the spotlight,
- Probability: 5%
- Why
- Why
- Why it will happen: Both sides like it, both sides get value.
- Why it won’t happen: It’s hard to imagine the Nuggets handing the Lakers a Western Conference dream lineup.
- Probability: 3%
N.Y. Knicks: Wilson Chandler, Anthony Randolph, Dinilo Gallinari, Eddy Curry’s expiring contract (EC’s EC), #1 pick in 2014.
- Why the Knicks like it: Huge win, adding respectability and a scorer alongside Amare.
- Why the Nuggets likes it: Anthony Randolph plus some cap space; not much else.
- Why it will happen: Donny Walsh would dance around his wheelchair to do this. Melo’s new wife wants the spotlight; it doesn’t get brighter than here.
- Why it won’t happen: The Knicks just don’t have the talent or the picks
- Probability: 3%
Note: The Knicks best – and really only legitimate – chance to sign Melo is if he is not traded, does not re-sign and becomes an outright free agent in the summer of 2011.
- Why the Kings like it: Above all else, the Maloofs like to put on a show, and Melo will do that and fill Arco Arena. Tyreke and Melo is a good re-start, trying to bring back the magic of the Divac-Webber years.
- Why
- Why it will happen: Kings get a star;
- Why it won’t happen: All three sides have reservations: The Nuggets lose 30ppg, and trade the present for the future. The Kings currently have a good, young nucleus and, as tempting as Melo is, upsetting the apple cart now doesn’t make sense. For the Anthonys, it isn't a title contender or the spotlight; for Lala,
- Probability: 3%
- Why the Wizards like it: Wall and Anthony. A good start on the road back to respectability.
- Why
- Why it will happen: Hard to see why
- Why it won’t happen: Too many to list here.
- Probability: 1%
And, the
- Why it will happen: Melo will come to his senses, understanding that $65 million guaranteed and delivered isn’t so bad while staring down a possible lockout next season. That stack of Benjamins might be too big to ignore. And, oh yea, the Nuggets won 50+ games each of the last 3 seasons and went to the Western Conference finals last year. They aren’t that far away…
- Why it won’t happen: Will Carmelo tank his reputation and season to try to get what he wants? Does Melo have LBJ spotlight jealousy? The answer isn’t as clear as it might seem. And how much influence does LaLa have over Melo? Is she Mrs. Anthony, or is he Mr. Vasquez?
- Probability: 50+%
Stay tuned…
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#23
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