Masai Ujiri, the Denver Nuggets new GM hire, just walked into basketball operations hell. Relentless fire and brimstone, doomsday talk has enveloped the franchise with 2011 free agency’s crown jewel. Carmelo Anthony wants out, multiple reports suggest, and the Nuggets must weigh trading him now versus losing him for nothing when the market opens.
A three-year, $65 million max extension remains on the table. Anthony can forego free agency—with a league-wide Armageddon, also known as a lockout or work stoppage, looming—and sign it anytime before July 1.
David Stern and his owner buddies want the new collective bargaining agreement to mandate shorter contracts and lower player salaries. No one with sense would criticize Anthony for choosing security over uncertainty. He starred in the 2009 Western Conference Finals, and the Nuggets did not hesitate to execute blockbuster deals for Allen Iverson and Chauncey Billups—reasons for him to stay put.
If, however, Ujiri cannot reconcile the franchise’s fractured relationship with Anthony, he should keep Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey on speed dial and broker a transaction ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Robert Kleeman
Carmelo Anthony: If Houston Would ‘Melo Out, It Could Trade for the Star
August 30th, 2010 by Robert Kleeman Leave a reply »
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