Melo Wants Out of Denver

What would you give up for Melo (Getty Images)

I'm sure most of you have seen the coverage on ESPN recently about Carmelo and his demands, well if you haven't and your a Denver fan you might want to stop reading now.  Carmelo is making a push to get out of Denver. Carmelo is in the last year of his current contract and has the option to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, much like Lebron, Dwade, Bosh, Amare, and many other top tier players this summer. With that being said the Nuggets did not want to be left high and dry at the end of the season and see Carmelo bolt for greener pastures much like his NBA counterparts. Quickly after seeing how the Summer 2010 NBA free agency was panning out Denver offered Melo' a 3 year 65 million dollar extension, locking him up into the 2014-2015 season. He still hasn't signed that extension...and probably won't.

In all fairness this seemed like an excellent offer for a star player, considering the New CBA is going into affect  next season which would cap all players at only being able to make 20 million dollars a year max. On top of that, there is also a fear of a lockout, meaning going into the 2011-2012 season with no guaranteed money would be a very risky maneuver. Thats why you saw guys like Paul Pierce and Dirk Nowitzki Opt out, but only restructure there current deals that would in essence add more years to there current contracts and add flexibility for the team going forward. Basically the state of the NBA is get your money while you can because we don't know how this new CBA is going to workout. Which brings us back to Carmelo's situation, he must really want out of Denver because if he leaves--he is going to be leaving millions of dollars on the table just to relocate.

Melo isn't and wasn't in the position of Dwade and Bosh, stuck on bad teams and struggling to make it into the playoffs, 2 years ago the Nuggets were in a hard fought Western Conference Finals with the World Champion Lakers, a series in which Carmelo went absolutely bananas, and sure this post season the Nuggets under performed but they also lost their front man George Karl in the final third of the season. For most of us who watch basketball we know how reckless the Nuggets can be at times, but that is all cured when Karl is there, Chauncey can't do it all alone. This post season for the Nuggets was a clear case of the prisoners running the asylum. It was an absolete mess, there is no reason for the Nuggets to lose to a depleted Utah team that they had handled convincely in the regular season. We know the Nuggets have the talent to compete in the West, year after year ESPN has them ranked as one of the teams to beat, make the post season, and possibly make some damage. So Melo, what gives?

Plain and Simple, Melo saw all of his buddies, Lebron, Wade, Bosh, and Amare choose where they wanted to play. We all know Melo is an East Coast guy and has always wanted to ball in New York, lets not forget he played at Syracuse and lead them to a National Title. This is his best chance to get back there, to the Mecca, the bright lights and the mystique of the MSG. He is in his Prime, One of the best pure scorers in the game, and has a chance to join his good buddy Amare, and not only that, there have been rumors of Tony Parker and or Chris Paul wanting to join the Knicks as well. So hey if your Melo and you can join Amare and one of the best PGs in the game and stay and grow for the next 4 or 5 seasons why not? Cant blame him there.

These are the scenarios we have now. Since Denver knows Melo wants out they pretty much have to trade him, its really a bad idea to let his contract expire and let a superstar walk for nothing. We saw that happen this Summer with Amare, Lebron, and Bosh, but luckily teams were able to complete a sign and trade, basically getting the player the money they wanted but also getting a trade exception in return, which leads to cap relief and ability to sign other players. This is how the Suns were able to pick up Hakim Warrick, Josh Childress and Hedo. The Nuggets wont be able to pull this off at the end of the season because of the structure of the new CBA and a possible lockout. So the Nuggets best move is to get the most value as they can right now for Melo from any team willing to give up picks, players, and cap relief. There is also the option of a team trading for Melo that fears he will play out the current year then opt out, which is his plan if he stays in Denver. At this point any team outside Houston, New York and New Jersey might have to fear that happening if they make a play for Melo. They would have to pull of a sign and trade to ensure he stays extra years, but Melo will more than likely not sign that agreement if he is not please with his destination.

Where do we go from here? Basically I think the Nuggets have to cut their loses and gut what they have left. Trade Melo to one of his destinations, save yourself some cap room, bunker down, and reload for the future. Bill Simmons had some interesting trade proposals for Melo's services in a trade with the Knicks. Danilo, Wilson Chandler, Eddy Curry's expiring contract, 2 future number 1 picks, and 3 million dollars for Melo. Seems like alot but considering what your getting in return the Knicks would have to pull the trigger on that. So the question is, considering your team and their current standing in the NBA, if you were the GM what would you be willing to give up for Carmelo Anthony?