Carmelo Anthony Thread (Denver Finalizes Deal With Knicks)

[Punk]

Stars win in this league period. Amar'e is a very good player, one which I slept on and probably unfairly hated in the past, but he is not winning anything on his own. Maybe he leads his team to a first round upset one year, but absolutely not contenders just by adding role players and it's delusional to think otherwise.

Well isn't that why we want to bring Melo home?

We have 3rd highest scoring duo in the league. If no Melo we still can do alot of damage adding other pieces.

[treiz]

No, I'm busting his balls for being a hack. I just thought I'd point out a pretty egregious word error by a supposedly "professional" sports writer.

I'm guessing you've never read a BSPN article then? Those guys there are a bunch of idiots, Woj is not.

And there was really no point of you pointing out a wording error, whoop dee doo he made a mistake when he's suppose to be a pro, but everybody makes mistakes, even pros, even matters as minuscule as this one.

[NyCeEvO]

Hey guys, guess what the problem is again? Denver wants to change the players...again.

Nets-Nuggets can't agree on 'Melo trade framework

Posted Jan 18 2011 8:08PM

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- A person with knowledge of the proposed Carmelo Anthony trade says the holdup is over the framework of the deal, not the All-Star forward's willingness to commit to New Jersey.

Though they appeared close to a deal 11 days ago, the teams are still negotiating what the Nets would send to Denver, the person told The Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anyonymity because he was not authorized to speak publiclly about the trade.

New Jersey has offered to ship six players and at least two first-round draft picks to Denver in the deal that would send Anthony to the Nets along with former Pistons teammates Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton.

But the teams haven't been able to agree on the exact price that will persuade the Nuggets to finally part with their franchise player

The person added that the Nets are not concerned about Anthony's commitment to the franchise for the long term should the trade be completed, saying they are convinced the 26-year-old will sign a $65 million, three-year contract extension if New Jersey, Denver and Detroit can agree on the others parts of the deal.

The teams continued their negotiations on Tuesday, but little was happening, the person said.

Anthony has refused to sign an extension that the Nuggets put on the table before the season started, leading Denver to listen to trade proposals.

The Nets and Nuggets came close to making a deal for Anthony before the season started. Talks renewed in earnest after New Year's with more than a dozen players involved in what has to be considered a megadeal.

However, the on-again, off-again process appears to be weighing on Anthony and casual observers.

"I stopped following it. It's getting to the point where you're just like, move on already or don't," said Miami guard Dwyane Wade, a friend of Anthony's "I'm sure 'Melo is more tired of it than anybody. But it's just to the point, as a sports fan, you're just, 'All right, it's just enough.' I'm sure for everybody in Denver and everybody in New Jersey as well, and whatever other team comes into it, it's been a long saga. It's been a long soap opera. Hopefully it comes to an end and they can focus on basketball."

There were reports over the weekend that the Nets had asked for and received permission from the Nuggets to talk to Anthony.

The high-scoring forward scoffed when asked about them Sunday, calling the reports false.

"I don't want to talk to nobody," Anthony said. "I'll let the front office handle that. It ain't my job to be talking to New Jersey, New York, Lakers, Dallas, no one. That's not my job to do."

Anthony, who could become a free agent at this season, is the centerpiece of the deal and a star that New Jersey feels it can build a team around, especially when it moves to Brooklyn for the 2012-13 season.

New Jersey would send point guard Devin Harris, rookie power forward Derrick Favors, the third draft pick overall, guards Anthony Morrow, Quinton Ross and Ben Uzoh, swingman Stephen Graham and at least two first-round draft picks to Denver.

In addition to Anthony and Billups, the Nuggets would send Shelden Williams and Terrico White, who is injured, to the Nets.

The Pistons would receive veteran Troy Murphy and center Johan Petro for Hamilton. Murphy has a $12 million contract that will expire after this season.

Since the trade talk started, the Nets have gone into a tailspin, losing six straight games, including all four on a West Coast trip that ended in Oakland on Monday.

New Jersey returns to action on Wednesday at home against Utah, and new owner Mikhail Prokhorov plans to be at the game to celebrate an evening of Russian culture.

Prokhorov, who took over the team last year, also plans to talk to the media about his first full year at the helm, a season that has seen New Jersey post a 10-31 record at the halfway point, the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference.

Nets coach Avery Johnson said Monday he hasn't been told of any potential meeting with Anthony, adding he expected no roster change before the game against the Jazz.

Wade is absolutely right. We're all tired of it. Just call the bluff on Denver and tell them the deal is off. NJ would see how quick Denver's FO would all of the sudden be ready to do the deal.

[enetric]

Woj isn't a hack, he's the best in the biz IMO, although there was a lot of venom in that article.

I tend to agree with most all of it though, except the convincing Melo to sign with a meeting thing, I see nothing wrong with that, this is basically midseason free agency.

I agree. For anyone to call Wo a hack? That has to be someone who is clueless. He does an outstanding job.

[enetric]

Would Anthony sign an extension with the Nets if they were able to complete a trade for him? He wouldn't tell me, but he indicated Ujiri knows the answer. "If he wanted to know, he could come and ask me," said Anthony. "There's nothing that's been said in the paper that we haven't talked about already, and there's things that I know and he know that has not gotten out there and that people don't even know about right now."

This part of the article is perhaps the MOST interesting. I have told you guys for year...always focus on the direct quotes more than the comments of guy writing the article who has something to sell.

THe comment is what you should disect.

So what great secrets that pertain to the question are being held back? THe most obvious conclusion is both parties are using us. Now this is just one theory...but it certainly sounds plausible after reading this. Nets keep bending over backwards and Nuggs keep stalling. Melo keeps stalling. So what's the deal? Knicks not offering all they can offer? Denver driving up the price on the Knicks best he can because they know that is the only place Melo will sign? So they have worked out a deal to get him there...but only if they can get all they want?

Just as we are bending over backwards to keep him from the Knicks...they get the Knicks to ante up to keep him from us? Sure...they cant give as much...but perhaps there is "enough" Denver would live with. Perhaps we are not an option because Melo wont sing with us....and the Denver's best options are almost nothing from a third party? So...get the Knicks offer the best it can be....something they can live with?

Just one theory. Not even sure its what I think...but clearly his comments, actions...and the actions of the team indicate they are not telling us something important here.


Theories?

[vincecarter4pres]

Great post from the Detroit board...

This deal is decaying more and more every day. It may actually be dead behind closed doors.

There are so many contradicting reports going around. All of the stuff we've read in the last few weeks had highly differing stances. Now having it reported Jersey has been given persmission to speak with Melo, only to have that report denied that permission was ever granted. All of this to me smells like posturing, and Denver is just trying to invent ways to keep this seeming active even with knowing its never going to happen.

If this deal was going to happen, I have to belive it would have been finalized long before now. The only way continuosly dragging feet on this deal makes any sense is from Denver's perspective. I'm starting to think that Melo has privately told Denver's brass he will not sign an extension with Jersey. If thats the case, the last thing Denver would want is for that to be known by anybody outside Melo/Nugget brass circles. If that were to become known, it would absolutely zap whatever leverage Denver may have in this (which is already minimal). Were that to happen, the only team Denver knows it could deal with would be whichever team Melo said he would extend with (NYK.) So in turn Walsh would simply call Denver and says we'll give you Curry/Azubuike/2nd, take it or leave it cuz we are getting Melo this summer regardles. If Melo's intentions continue to remain secret, Denver can still hold hope of New York increasing its offer to make it more attractive.

Otherwise there is no upside at all to continue to drag this thing out. Denver and Jersey players have all been clearly affected by this, and its human nature that they have not been able to fully focus. If this thing continues to perpetuate players will continue to be distracted. Also, the sooner Denver gets their hands on Favors, the better it would be for his development. Also, just in the time this thing has been reported Jersey has taken a serious fall and struggled badly. They are fading rapidly, as is whatever hope they had of making the playoffs. If Melo was actually considering extending with Jersey, every loss racked up will further the chances he declines that extension. Whch in turn means, Denevr would not be getting that sweetheart package. Not to mention Denver has been seriously trying to bleed every last drop from Jersey in this from jump. With ever asset you pluck from Jersey, and every contract u make them take that is not cap friendly, that also decreases Melo's desire to extend with Jersey.

Honestly, Jersey can and should do much better with what they are offering here. They are pretty much cleaning out their cupboard, eating a ton of salary, and evaporating all of their cap flexibility on this proposed deal. IMO Carmelo is not worth all that.

If I'm Jersey I call Denver and say you took too damn long, I don't like the way you are handling this, so I'm pulling the plug. Then look into other more affordable avenues, that may be better in the long run anyways.

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1082171&start=570

[FGump]

Carmelo Anthony's statement that he is tight with Kroenke Jr and that his intentions are known without being asked feels really weird. It would make sense if they both know he'll sign with NJ. But the more he is working in tandem where Denver can strip the Nets of all assets in a trade, the lousier the team will be that he will end up with.

Either something is really shrouded in the situation, or Melo is an idiot. But it doesn't bode well for NJ.

In any case, this is a puzzling and bizarre twist.

[infam0us]

Would Anthony sign an extension with the Nets if they were able to complete a trade for him? He wouldn't tell me, but he indicated Ujiri knows the answer. "If he wanted to know, he could come and ask me," said Anthony. "There's nothing that's been said in the paper that we haven't talked about already, and there's things that I know and he know that has not gotten out there and that people don't even know about right now."

This part of the article is perhaps the MOST interesting. I have told you guys for year...always focus on the direct quotes more than the comments of guy writing the article who has something to sell.

THe comment is what you should disect.

So what great secrets that pertain to the question are being held back? THe most obvious conclusion is both parties are using us. Now this is just one theory...but it certainly sounds plausible after reading this. Nets keep bending over backwards and Nuggs keep stalling. Melo keeps stalling. So what's the deal? Knicks not offering all they can offer? Denver driving up the price on the Knicks best he can because they know that is the only place Melo will sign? So they have worked out a deal to get him there...but only if they can get all they want?

Just as we are bending over backwards to keep him from the Knicks...they get the Knicks to ante up to keep him from us? Sure...they cant give as much...but perhaps there is "enough" Denver would live with. Perhaps we are not an option because Melo wont sing with us....and the Denver's best options are almost nothing from a third party? So...get the Knicks offer the best it can be....something they can live with?

Just one theory. Not even sure its what I think...but clearly his comments, actions...and the actions of the team indicate they are not telling us something important here.


Theories?

The part of your theory that doesn't make sense to me is why would Melo want the Knicks to ante up their offer, he's removing assets from the team he wants to go. Wouldn't it have been better to say no to Nets and say only Knicks and then the Knicks would have more leverage.

I have no theory but I just cant see a team try to acquire a player for multiple months with that player having no interest.

[truth serum]

Would Anthony sign an extension with the Nets if they were able to complete a trade for him? He wouldn't tell me, but he indicated Ujiri knows the answer. "If he wanted to know, he could come and ask me," said Anthony. "There's nothing that's been said in the paper that we haven't talked about already, and there's things that I know and he know that has not gotten out there and that people don't even know about right now."

This part of the article is perhaps the MOST interesting. I have told you guys for year...always focus on the direct quotes more than the comments of guy writing the article who has something to sell.

THe comment is what you should disect.

So what great secrets that pertain to the question are being held back? THe most obvious conclusion is both parties are using us. Now this is just one theory...but it certainly sounds plausible after reading this. Nets keep bending over backwards and Nuggs keep stalling. Melo keeps stalling. So what's the deal? Knicks not offering all they can offer? Denver driving up the price on the Knicks best he can because they know that is the only place Melo will sign? So they have worked out a deal to get him there...but only if they can get all they want?

Just as we are bending over backwards to keep him from the Knicks...they get the Knicks to ante up to keep him from us? Sure...they cant give as much...but perhaps there is "enough" Denver would live with. Perhaps we are not an option because Melo wont sing with us....and the Denver's best options are almost nothing from a third party? So...get the Knicks offer the best it can be....something they can live with?

Just one theory. Not even sure its what I think...but clearly his comments, actions...and the actions of the team indicate they are not telling us something important here.


Theories?

This is exactly what I think is going on and what makes the most sense here. I think it's obvious that Denver would love to take the proposed deal from the Nets, even without a guy like Harrington being shipped out, but it's Carmelo who keeps putting a wrench in it by refusing an extension. It's the reason the Nets are so adamant about meeting with him. Prokorhov knows Anthony wants to be a Knick and wants to at least have a chance to make a pitch to him face to face before all the talk comes to a screeching halt . I think it's all a fruitless effort though which is why the underlying theme for the Nugs is to get the Knicks to up their offer by playing up these trade rumors regardless of Melo's refusal to cooperate.

Melo is merely being a good soldier by keeping quiet and sustaining any leverage Denver might have in talks with the Knicks in the process. More so to avoid LeBron-like backlash and keep Denver on his side for the sake of getting what he wants sooner than later, despite forcing the Knicks' hand a bit. Maybe he and his agents had an agreement with the FO to let them do what they can to get the best deal knowing Donnie Walsh wouldn't be taken advantage of. Melo can save face by keeping his mouth shut, eventually get his extension with NY and Denver can get a better deal than they would have if he went public with his trade demands. Everybody wins.....sort of. The question is, will Donnie cave in and improve his offer?

It's already known that he made an offer early in the season and has since refused to add more pieces to the pot. He refuses to gut the team for a guy who can be a free agent this summer and wants to be here. I believe the offer was Gallo/Curry/AR and/or draft picks with the willingness to go out and acquire some other first rounders that are within reason to sweeten the deal. Also something he's alluded to. Eventually, Denver is going to have to pick it's poison. Gonna be difficult to pull one over on Walsh, especially with the Knicks having so much flexibility for the future. They are hardly as desperate as the Nuggets wish they were.

[NyCeEvO]

I agree with E. A few of the articles that I have been posting in the last few days have been pretty good because they include well thought out theories or direct quotes from people involved.

And yes, that quote bothered me a great deal when I read it. Although, every situation that is brought based on Denver accepting Curry's contract or taking Chandler make no sense unless Melo and Denver to royally screw us over. All along we've been told Denver doesn't want to add salary, which is the reason why they don't want Murphy. Also, why would Denver take on Chandler who is going to be a restricted free agent this summer, whom they wouldn't grant a new contract? If either or both are part of any deal with Denver, we'll know that Denver was screwing us over from the moment we "had a deal" in place and they would pray the worst future for them if that's the case.

The next few days will be interesting.

[NyCeEvO]

Take it for what you will but THE RUSSIAN EAGLE HAS LANDED!! (....much to our chagrin)

Mikhail Prokhorov and Nets have permission from Denver Nuggets to meet with Carmelo Anthony

BY Mitch Lawrence
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Wednesday, January 19th 2011, 4:00 AM


Mikhail Prokhorov won't have Carmelo Anthony in tow, as he had hoped, when the new Nets owner attends Wednesday night's game against the Jazz in Newark.

Prokhorov and the Nets' bid to get Anthony in a trade before the Feb. 24 deadline remains on hold. But Denver has OK'd a meeting between the Nets and the Nuggets superstar and that could lead the way to a three-team deal that has been in various stages of negotiations for the past few weeks.

If the meeting hasn't already taken place, then it's supposed to happen over the next few days, according to league sources. The Nets and Prokhorov's PR people had no comment on the time frame for the meeting.

During the meeting, Prokhorov and others, including minority owner Jay-Z, want to find out if Anthony wants to sign long-term with the Nets, while Anthony is expected to press the Nets about their strategy for building a championship contender once they have him on board.

Contrary to reports, the NBA did not have to OK the meeting, since this is similar to when teams approve having agents for players "explore" possible trades with other teams.

While the Nets are still hopeful that Anthony will give Prokhorov the answer he wants to hear by saying he'll make a long-term commitment to New Jersey, the Nuggets are still not in any rush to trade their superstar, with the trading deadline still five weeks away.

The Nets wanted to have Anthony in the fold by now, but coach Avery Johnson told reporters last weekend that he didn't expect the deal featuring the Nets, Nuggets and Pistons to be completed this week.

"There's no indication that they're ready to deal Carmelo," said one league source who spoke with Denver executives over the last two days.

Anthony didn't speak to the media following Nuggets practice Tuesday.

Prokhorov is expected to update reporters on the Anthony trade situation before the game.

If the Nets fail in their bid to get Anthony, the kind of superstar Prokhorov wants playing in Brooklyn, Net fans might get to see their future small forward, anyway. The Jazz's Andrei Kirilenko is a free agent this summer and knows Prokhorov well enough that the two have dinner in Russia when Kirilenko goes home every summer. According to Nets sources, Kirilenko is on the team's radar as a potential player and front-office official.

But with the Knicks turning things around behind Amar'e Stoudemire, Prokhorov wants Anthony, first and foremost, to help revive the Nets' fortunes.

There is growing speculation that even if the Nets can't get Anthony to agree to a long-term commitment, Prokhorov will still agree to a trade, on a reduced scale, to at least get Anthony for part of the season in hopes that they can convince him to stay.

1) We need to watch the interviews with Proky tonight to see what's going on. To me, it doesn't make sense to talk to reporters about this situation because if he talks about Melo as a Net, he could cross the line into tampering.

2) I'm sure the Mitch Lawrence just made this up but what do you guys think of having Melo as a rental. It would be a reduced price but what do we have that would entice Denver to give Melo to us over teams that would take him as a rental?

[Preludepunk27]

I'm actually totally fine with Melo as a rental. The reasoning there is that Billy King will get stingy and not give up nearly as much. That may be wishful thinking based on how horrible negotiations are going, but the best they'd get as a rental would be a slew of expirings and a pick, maybe a 2nd if they are one of our weaker picks.

Problem there is that if we go that route or Denver explores that with other teams like Houston or Dallas, it helps New York's chances. Making Melo a rental won't get you a premium or possibly even dollar-for-dollar value. They know Melo would sign the extension with Denver so New Yorks offer of Curry/Gallo/Chandler/pick from Minny via Utah (if they get it) actually would be the best deal they could get at that point. No team looking to rent Melo would give that up even if that acquiring team thought they could convice Melo to resign with them in the offseason.

Best you'd get from me if Melo is a rental would be:

Murphy/Hump/Ross/Morrow/Pick for Melo/Nene. Nene has a player option you know he's gonna pick up. This gives the Nuggets close to $17 mill in savings after the season roughly, a 3pt shooter on a decent contract so they can cut ties with Jr Smith and a pick. I really wouldn't even offer them James. I would include him if that gets the deal done, but no way is Favors or even Harris getting shipped out if we don't have a signed extension in hand for Melo.

Some may be willing to give up more in that instance, but no deal we offer that is logical (not that King has been logical as of today) would look better than the Knicks offer if we are discussing Melo as a rental.



****Edit****

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachi ... Id=46t2akp

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachi ... Id=488k5jx (If we HAVE to take Al)

As you can see, if Melo doesn't agree to an extension, they're not getting much

[Preludepunk27]

Quick Question:

I know all the reports are saying the Nuggets are dragging their feet for a 3rd pick and to also improve the chances of the Nets 2011 pick being better, but has anyone thought about this:

Could Melo be bluffing that he won't sign an extension with the Nets? I know knick fans and some other people will think I'm nuts, but if we traded for Melo as a rental, we're not giving up nearly as much for him. The Nuggets are not happy with how Melo has been since the summer and may spite him. Yeah if we're talking about a rental, Knicks may be able to come up with a better deal since they're willing to give up more because they know he'd sign an extension with them.

The thing is which a lot of writers don't mention is that the Nuggets DON'T want to trade him to New York unless the deal is retardedly better than what they can get from another team. Why would they want to make Melo happy after?

Again, I'm reaching, but Leon Rose has his hands on this. What if Melo likes Devin, likes Derrick and thinks adding him with those 2, Lopez and more picks is something he wants to build on? What if he's fine signing the extension with the Nets if they retained certain people. Even if he wasn't high on Devin, he's obviously coveted by a number of teams. We could then spin Devin in a 3-team deal with Det and either Portland or Dallas and get Rip her if Leon is dying for that. Not that I want Rip, but I'm just curious. Could Leon be blowing smoke on the situation to push a lesser "rental version" of the deal soon and once Melo is a Net, he signs the extension before the deadline?



I may be way off base, but Leon and World Wide Wes are sketchy. I can see it coming to that.

I'm sure some of you as well as knick fans would think I'm a short bus kid, and I don't totally think this could happen, but we keep rehashing the same stuff so I'm trying to look at different things to bring life to the situation.

[isekii]

I'm so sick of all of Denvers antics. I really hope this trade doesn't go through.
We can trade Tmurphy, Dharris etc.. all seperately.

[Preludepunk27]

^^^^

Same here. We have players people obviously want. What Billy King needs to take a page out of Thorn's playbook. Make Denver think we're ok with walking. Denver would not just be like "ok screw you" and call New York immediately because it's been written countless times they like Favors's upside more than any player offered by the Knicks. We need to start calling other teams about Murphy's expring and Harris. I'm honestly willing to take the chance of Denver moving him to the Knicks in haste.

Bottom line is, no matter how much Billy is getting pressured by upper management, he needs to take control of the situation first and foremost. Even if it costs him his job in the end, that should be top priority rather than just getting a deal done any way possible. It's not like he couldn't get another job. Go down like a man is all I'm saying. If he grows a pair and we lose our on Melo, I actually would be fine and actually respect King more.

[vincecarter4pres]

Wouldn't trade for Melo with no extension unless its some type of wink wink deal like Prelude mentioned.

He goes to the Knix in the offseason you now have a tremendous amount of egg on your face and you ruined draft position, plus you're still looking at multiple first rounders even for a rental, because other teams like the Rockets and Dallas will offer the same, if not better.

[NyCeEvO]

Bottom line is, no matter how much Billy is getting pressured by upper management, he needs to take control of the situation first and foremost. Even if it costs him his job in the end, that should be top priority rather than just getting a deal done any way possible. It's not like he couldn't get another job. Go down like a man is all I'm saying. If he grows a pair and we lose our on Melo, I actually would be fine and actually respect King more.

I understand what you're saying but I think it's too idealistic. This isn't like Billy is making a major moral decision and if he doesn't do it, he'll be deemed a saint. Of course, we would all like for him to take a stand but he can't. He can only make a suggestion. Any more than that and he'll get fired or seriously reprimanded. As much as people in the NBA would respect King for not making the deal, no one is going to hire him just out of sympathy. He wouldn't get a job at least until next year and with the lockout coming, probably longer. He's not here to appease the fans, he's here to make the Nets better but he can only do so if he has a job. Just think about it, if you stood up to your boss on a major decision, what's going to happen? And with the mob on Proky's side, losing the GM job would be the least of King's concerns.

[Netaman]

so what does everyone think happens tonight? Got to think Prokhorov would love to declare to the world that he bagged the 800 pound buck. Is there any way that's practical being that we would be left with 5 players to play tonight?

He can't possibly go up there and simply offer up vague denials, and if he was Avery most certainly would have marching orders to set the tone and not tee Prokhy up to let everyone down.

http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/inthezzone/comments/avery_prokhorov_will_shed_light_on_things/

Prokhorov has to say something, tell the fans what’s the latest because there is too much out there and a resolution is needed. There also hasn’t been enough talking from any of the sides to the media.

The fans need to hear something because they’re getting their hopes up, feeling down, frustrated, slighted, annoyed at the constant rumors, reports, new developments and contradictions.

This, too, has to bother the Nets and Nuggets, who are working hard behind the scenes to get something done.

So it’s good Prokhorov is here to say something, let everyone know something. We could all speculate and guess what he’s going to say, but we’ll all know for sure in several hours.

[vincecarter4pres]

I don't think he's going to say much, he doesn't want to paint himself any further into a corner and a lot of what we'd like to hear as answers would likely be considered tampering.

[Jersey Generals]

He should just shut up, and not make any stupid proclamations, to be honest. His idiotic bravado is the reason why he has to trade the entire roster for Carmelo.