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Denver has been a team that is cap-conscious over the years. If something happens and they are not in contention, I could see them making a deal to save money. Maybe this is the way to use our capspace?

The man I have in mind is Carmelo Anthony. We have a lot of pieces that could help them out.

Atkins - Only guaranteed 760k.
Cardinal - 6.75M expiring
Blount - 8M expiring
Gomes - Only guaranteed 2.75M over final 3 years if waived by 6/30.
Corey Brewer
CHA Pick
UTAH Pick

Is it a stretch? Yes. Is it likely? Probably not. Is it possible? Yes.

No way in heck do they trade him to a division rival.

+1

Melo is one of the few players I'd trade anyone on the team for no second thoughts.

Denver will not do it. They were a very good team after they got Billups and looked good in the playoffs. I do not see him being available.

I don't think it will happen, but its not impossible.

Flash back two seasons, when Carmelo had two minor run-ins with the law, in a period of five days. Rumor had it that DEN shopped him around, and couldn't find takers for the price they wanted.

Big name players do get dealt in this league, and very few begin and end their career on the same team.

How many are dealt at age 25 after leading their team to the conference finals?

i can see Melo getting dealt, especially for a cheap package of prospects and ending contracts. if it was not a division trade, i'd package Al for Melo and stuff. and if the nuggets implode i could see them clearing him for Rubio/Blount/Cardinal and picks.

Nah, Denver has seen what they can do when they combine Carmelo and a PG who can shoot the three. If they underachieve next year it's Karl that's gone, not Carmelo. And they'd probably have to be .500ish or worse for that to happen, otherwise they'll attribute it to Chauncey's mileage and cross their fingers regarding Ty Lawson.

i'm not sure, crossing their fingers with Lawson and Chauncey's mileage are what make me think Carmelo could be had. the wolves can offer relief from their cap situation, i think we'd have to take back Kmart in a Melo deal for sure. The picks that we can offer this year would let them pick up some wings and forwards, Nene is still a beast, Rubio could be enticed early by having a team centered around him, if not gamble with Lawson and make a similar deal for Chauncey to a vet team looking for win now. Rubio and a cleared roster may convince Kleiza to come back too.

Let me just say that this was not the original deal I thought of when thinking about deals between the two. The first that came to mind was Atkins for AC/Balkman. Denver would technically add about half million dollars in salary with that deal, but then saves about 2.5 million, meaning about a 2 mil dollar savings. They are currently about 4 mil over the tax if my math is right. So while it doesn't get them all the way under, it does get them closer.

Atkins deal becomes fully guaranteed on January 10th, so he'd have little value other than just a regular small expiring at the deadline. I can see him having more value on December 15th.