Denver Nuggets: Want ‘Melo? Just ‘Send It In’

AOL FanHouse is reporting that an anonymous NBA team executive says Denver has told teams to “send it in” regarding their proposals for Carmelo Anthony. The rest of FanHouse’s report is not quite as interesting. The executive says that Denver has shown;

interest in top-tier young players, future first-round draft picks, young assets (i.e. high-upside players with relatively-affordable contracts), and salary-cap savings.

What else would you want? That is everything you could possibly want minis an established veteran.
Denver has a rather massive payroll number in 2010-2011. FanHouse reports the number as $83 million. This is, of course, much greater than the salary cap of $58 million and is additionally well into the league’s luxury tax (above $70.3M).

To me, these numbers really shows that Denver might actually  be willing to part with ‘Melo. Looking at those numbers in their books can’t be too pleasant for ownership. That is when you consider that the Nuggets have been to the playoffs 7 straight seasons, and in those 7 playoffs appearances the team has exited in the very 1st round 6 times.

With these new developments, ESPN is reporting that the Nets are the early front-runners. Shocker. Other teams who reportedly have interest are the Knicks, Bulls, Rockets, Clippers and Warriors. I would say that it is obviously that, if possible, Denver would love to ship ‘Melo out of the Western Conference.

Of note on that list of potential suitors is Chicago. They still can’t find a dance partner.

This is likely going to cost the Nets Derrick Favors. If you are the Nets, I’m not sure that is that big of a deterrent. Not only is Carmelo an established players while Favors is anything but. Additionally, hopefully ‘Melo can put together a Wade like pitch to Chris Paul and other free agents this coming summer.
Has that ever happened? A top 3 pick gets traded, not on draft day, but in the fall before ever playing for the team that drafted him?

Source: Denver Listening to Trade Offers for Carmelo Anthony [FanHouse]

by RDM.