Carmelo Anthony has told the Denver Nuggets he will not sign the nearly $65 million contract extension he has been offered unless he is traded to the New York Knicks, a source told ESPN.com on Sunday. The source, using the most definitive language possible, confirmed what has been widely speculated around the NBA over the past two months as Anthony has been at the center of trade talks involving numerous teams. And while other franchises might be able to make better offers, Anthony will not agree to sign anywhere long-term unless he is dealt to New York, according to the source, who has been privy to private discussions between Anthony, his representatives and the Nuggets organization. The source spoke to ESPN.com after Denver's 129-125 loss to New York on Sunday afternoon as the Knicks won their eighth straight game. Anthony was again coy in discussing his future, but he did move the needle somewhat in making a prediction that the Nuggets will not trade him to a destination that is not on his wish list. "I don't think so. I don't think that will happen," Anthony said. Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=5912307
If the Knicks get Melo and manage to keep Felton, Amare and some of the role players they have now... they'll be a force to reckon with especially because of the chemistry the knicks have at this point in the season. they're on a nasty roll!
Am I overreacting to this? If I'm Denver I'd tell him to stay home until hes officially gone- whether that's via trade by the deadline or the end of the season for FA. Hes forcing the Nugz to deal him to NYK and NYK won't offer anything good knowing that they're the only team he wants to be on and he'll sign there in FA anyway. I don't want a guy in the locker room who doesn't want to be there and I don't want to set the example to others that the club will be strong armed into moving you wherever you want to go. Melo is basically giving the team, his teammates, and the city a big middle finger so why not just send him home for good? Hes crapping on the Nugz leverage in a trade so fuck it, sit him for 6 months and let him go into the CBA-renegotiating-and-probable-lockout offseason without a long term deal. Melo, Nene, Kenyon Martin, etc. are all FAs right? Move Chauncey at the deadline (this shouldn't be difficult and I wouldn't mind taking a crappy deal for pure cap space because Chauncey is a classy guy and deserves to be in a better situation) and start rebuilding with that cap room.
My problem with Melo is that, he didn't deserve All NBA Second team last year. He's more like a top 20-30 player. 19, 22, 20 PER over the last three seasons and no D. Yeah I don't see the point in trading him for garbage, might as well start the rebuilding process. Get a better deal or let him walk. The Nuggets aren't going anywhere with Melo either.
Pretty much agree. I might still rank him a little higher but I've never thought he was nearly as good as hes given credit for. There's something to be said for being a dominant, versatile scorer but the true difference makers a) make their teammates better and b) play great defense. Melo does neither. Hes good but you can't build a contender around him. That Denver team is as reliant or more reliant on Billups for its success than it is on Melo IMO and it goes back to the fact that Billups is solely dedicated to making his teammates better and playing with tremendous efficiency.
Historically you are quite right. I think you have a solid rebuilding plan, they should definitely think about it.
He'll be a Knick. At the end of the day, if he's not traded (Anthony) will sign in the off-season...correct me if I'm wrong though.
