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NBA Denver

Latest Denver Stories

Nuggets Take Carmelo Anthony Off the Table He Was Allegedly Never On in the First Place

Posted: Jun 22nd 2008 7:25 PM ET by Tom Ziller (RSS feed)
Filed Under: Nuggets, NBA Rumors, Denver

4 COMMENTS
As quickly as Carmelo Anthony's future with Denver was put into question due to a "promise you won't trade me, or trade me!" demand reported Saturday, Carmelo Anthony's future with Denver has apparently been settled. ESPN's Chris Broussard follows up on his original report:
The agent for Carmelo Anthony says the Denver Nuggets have told him they will not trade the two-time All-Star forward this summer. "He's not going to be moved," Calvin Andrews said in a telephone interview Sunday. "It's not happening. We've been given assurances from the owner on down."
Of course, this is the same agent who a) has already insisted 'Melo wouldn't be traded this summer, before Denver considered a lofty offer from the Pistons, and b) has been removed as Anthony's point-man on endorsements and marketing, yet still took credit for Anthony's latest shoe deal. Not to besmirch the good name of Calvin Andrews, but yeah ...

Broussard's reportage always comes through with intriguing peripheral details. In this one: coach George Karl allegedly wants to consider trading 'Melo, but the other decision-makers remain opposed to dumping a 24-year-old who averages nearly 25 points per game for his career on 46% shooting, with 6 rebounds thrown in for good measure. The gall of those fools, hanging on to one of the best scorers in the game who exists on his pittance of a post-rookie max deal.

Carmelo Wants to Know If He's Being Traded

Posted: Jun 21st 2008 9:04 PM ET by Tom Ziller (RSS feed)
Filed Under: Pistons, Nuggets, NBA Rumors, Denver

1 COMMENT
Carmelo Anthony has heard all the rumors. As interested observers always hoping to see the Earth shake, we love seeing them. As someone whose life might be uprooted at any moment, 'Melo wishes it would all go away. As such, ESPN's Chris Broussard reports Anthony has demanded a meeting with Nuggets brass to assert what, if anything, is going on here. Broussard writes:
[Anthony's] desire is to stay in Denver and he wants assurances from the Nuggets that they will not trade him. Anthony's party expects to get those assurances on Monday, according to the sources. If the Nuggets don't commit to building around Anthony -- and instead demonstrate a willingness to trade him -- he will ask to be moved.
So basically, some crackpot ideas out of New Jersey and a reported offer of Chauncey Billups and Tayshaun Prince from Detroit has knocked 'Melo into this period of personal despair? Broussard reports the Nugs have not been offering 'Melo up in any way.

Pardon the nostalgia, but this reminds me of the time Ron Artest heard a rumor the Pacers wanted to trade him, and then demanded a trade. There was no smoke in Indiana before Artest's wacky demand, and there really doesn't look to be any smoke in Denver now -- especially taking Broussard's account into account, as it's the most assertive dispatch on Detroit's designs on 'Melo to this point.

If all this faux-desperation from Anthony's camp isn't (in part) the result of some madness concerning his unstable representation situation, I'll eat Von Wafer's hat.

AI Won't Opt Out, But What's Next for Denver?

Posted: Jun 20th 2008 4:48 PM ET by Matt Watson (RSS feed)
Filed Under: Nuggets, Western, NBA Rumors, Denver

3 COMMENTS
Allen IversonAllen Iverson had until today to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Denver Nuggets, and his agent Leon Rose just confirmed to the Rocky Mountain News that his client will play out his current deal, which will pay him more than $20 million in 2008-09. This was certainly expected -- Iverson has said he wanted to remain all season, and Marcus Camby predicted his teammate would return earlier this week -- but you can never take anything for granted.

Just because Iverson decided against opting out doesn't mean he'll necessarily be playing in Denver next year: his hefty expiring deal is an interesting bargaining chip for teams looking to make a move, and guys like Carmelo Anthony and Camby have also been mentioned in their share of rumors. Plus J.R. Smith, whom AI is essentially blocking from the starting lineup, is a restricted free agent -- while Denver's up-and-down style of play fits his game, he may be able to find a starting gig elsewhere.

Even if the Nuggets can't find a blockbuster to their liking, expect at least a small deal: ESPN's Chad Ford reported a rumor yesterday involving the Grizzlies sending Kyle Lowry and the 28th overall pick to Denver for Linas Kleiza. That deal coud. make sense for both teams, considering Grizzlies' glut of point guards and the fact that Anthony Carter, the Nuggets' starter last year, is now a free agent. Whatever happens, expect the Nuggets to be one of this summer's most active teams.

Someone, Somewhere, Really Thinks Melo to Detroit Is a Good Idea

Posted: Jun 10th 2008 5:54 PM ET by Matt Moore (RSS feed)
Filed Under: Pistons, Nuggets, NBA Rumors, Denver, Detroit

0 COMMENTS
From the pages of this year's edition of "Trade Rumors That Seem To Spring From The Ether And Return As Quickly" comes a lovely bit of speculation regarding Carmelo Anthony. There have been whispers and insinuations for a few days about Melo potentially being traded to Detroit for some set of pieces.

Combine that with Woody Paige and his WACKY ANTICS(!) and you've got yourself a legitimate piece of buzz. Except Paige's proposal, involving, among others, Anthony, Marcus Camby, Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince (yes, all of them) doesn't work according to the cap rules. Nor according to logical thought (a far fetched concept in NBA GMs, I know, but we're talking Dumars, here). Not according to Melo's agent. It does not work on a train, it does not work on a plane. It does not work with the freight, it does not work with BAC of .148. It will not work, Woody You Are, it does not work, not by far.

It seems that more and more the trades that involve two teams talking to each other repeatedly almost never fall through. Conversely, big trades that just "spring up" like the Shaquille O'Neal trade or even the Pau Gasol heist are much more effective. But if you're a fan of the "where there's smoke, there's Carmelo Anthony" approach, throw this one on the pile, see if it lights.

Ty Lawson's Arrest Causes a Denver Snub

Posted: Jun 8th 2008 8:24 PM ET by Tom Ziller (RSS feed)
Filed Under: Nuggets, NBA Draft, NBA Police Blotter, Denver

0 COMMENTS
Last week, UNC point guard product Ty Lawson got arrested for allegedly driving with some alcohol in his blood and committing sundry other violations (like having his music too loud). Note: it wasn't a DUI. But Lawson had been drinking, and he's not yet 21. So it's criminal.

Lawson, already settling into the lower part of the first round, had to think his stake might slide. Various reports prior to the incident had Lawson aimed at pick #20, which belongs to Denver. The Nuggets play up-tempo ball and have a desperate need at the point. They also have some recent, painful history with respects to drinking and driving, if you'll remember Carmelo Anthony's unfortunate postseason arrest.

And guess what? Hoopsworld's Travis Heath reports this evening that Denver has revoked its invitation to Lawson for a team workout. Lawson was supposed to be in Denver this weekend, but the Nuggets told him to stay home. While it doesn't mean Lawson won't get drafted, it almost certainly means the Nuggets ain't biting.

That's a bit of a problem, as Lawson has said he'll only stay in if he's projected in the top 20. Again, Denver picks #20. Taking one of the few options that high -- and seemingly the most likely, before the arrest -- means Lawson might not meet his goal. Will he go back to Chapel Hill? Will he fall into the second round and end up as a 13th man or NBDL assignee?

How a Contract Extension For Allen Iverson Could Save Denver Some Cash

Posted: May 31st 2008 10:02 AM ET by Tom Ziller (RSS feed)
Filed Under: Nuggets, NBA Rumors, Denver

2 COMMENTS
Chris Tomasson of the Rocky Mountain News punches in a piece asserting the Nuggets and the camp of Allen Iverson have discussed a contract extension which could keep The Answer in Denver through 2010-2011 (or longer). On first glance, already salary-addled Denver would seem to be adding to its burden. But Tomasson notes this deal could save the Nugs some cash next year.
Obviously, a key factor would be what the contract numbers might be. If Iverson, in exchange for additional contract years, were to sign a new deal that paid him $5 million less next season, the Nuggets would save $10 million due to the dollar-for-dollar luxury tax.
As the frequency of major trades has ticked upward in recent years, there seems to a vogue toward erasing payroll (and its associated luxury tax pain) in the immediate term with the hope you can tinker around the edges later. This sort of plan -- increase the length of your financial burden with A.I., but find a way to shrink your obligations for just next year -- does just that. Sure, 2010-11 looks like it will suck, with $17 owed to Carmelo Anthony, $16 million for Kenyon Martin, and $11 million for Nene. But there's plenty of time to worry about that; the key is finding some breathing room in 2008-09.

It doesn't hurt that Iverson is precisely the sort of player who won't likely see his trade value fall over a cliff one of these summers. A.I. had a good season in Denver, and despite what you've heard Denver had a good season. This is a smart move (depending on the dollars).

And Tomasson doesn't mention it, but ... there exists the possibility that A.I. opts out in order to take Denver's deal, but another team steps in to offer more money. There's no indication A.I. would leave, but you can never bet against teams taking extreme measures to land a talent like Iverson.

Carmelo's Agent Suggests Nuggets Management Not Brain Dead

Posted: May 22nd 2008 3:36 AM ET by Matt Moore (RSS feed)
Filed Under: Nuggets, Western, NBA Rumors, Denver

0 COMMENTS
Calvin Andrews is the agent for Carmelo Anthony, and he's had it up to to here with all this poppycock. Okay, he didn't actually say that, but he did tell the Rocky Mountain News that Carmelo Anthony was not being shopped in trade talks with the New Jersey Nets.

The best part about any NBA trade is the part where no one knows anything and there's nothing going on and everyone's denying it until it happens. Which is just as likely as nothing coming of it at all. It's like trying to predict the weather, in a cave, in a coffin, deep, deep in the cold,cold ground. However, there was more than one source claiming that the Nets deal was a conceivable approach, and in an offseason where Nuggets management is feeling the heat for drastic change, there isn't a bigger change that can be made than trading Anthony.

The Nuggets are at an impasse. Their current roster clearly isn't going to get it done, but keeping Melo through another rebuilding stint with his notorious opt-out clause for the Free Agent Armageddon of 2010 could be a risky proposition. We'll keep an eye out to see if Andrews is telling the truth or spinning the PR for his client.

Denver Nuggets Approaching Critical Mass, Aiming to Trade Melo?

Posted: May 19th 2008 3:06 PM ET by Matt Moore (RSS feed)
Filed Under: Nuggets, Western, NBA Rumors, Denver

7 COMMENTS
After a rather humiliating sweep in the first round by the Los Angeles Lakers following a rather mediocre regular season, Denver Nuggets fans wanted change. Be careful what you wish for, for ye will surely get it.

In a report this morning by the North Jersey Record, there is a blockbuster trade being worked on between the New Jersey Nets and the Nuggets that would send Carmelo Anthony, yes, Carmelo Anthony and Marcus Camby to New Jersey in exchange for Richard Jefferson, Marcus Williams, Keith Van Horn and his faux-contract, and the Nets potential lottery pick.

Take a sec to let that idea sink in. I'll give you a few.

Okay.

So beyond the obvious prospect of trading away the player that was long considered their franchise player and one of the league's leading scorers, the Nuggets are also considering throwing in a former Defensive Player of the Year that is still able to do things like, you know, defend. In return they are talking about a 27 year old solid small forward, but after that it's a rookie prospect, some cap room, and a draft pick that is likely to be around the eleventh. In order for this to work, the Nuggets would have to make a pretty big splash in both the draft and free agency. We're talking "max contract offer to Elton Brand" level of splash. If that weren't to happen, where does this leave Allen Iverson? Carrying the burden for a group of underachievers and a few talented pieces? Haven't we seen this script before? The Nets, on the other hand, would instantly have a ton of talent, and still have a first rounder. They would then start a lineup of Devin Harris, Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthonyge, Krstic, and Marcus Camby, with a late 1st round draft pick, Josh Boone, and reasonable cap flexibility within a few years with Melo's player option and Carter's expiring. Wowzers.

Ah, trade season's back. How we missed it. Let the rumors fly!

5 Things to Keep an Eye on: Lakers at Nuggets, Game 4

Posted: Apr 28th 2008 6:55 PM ET by Matt Moore (RSS feed)
Filed Under: Nuggets, Lakers, Western, NBA Playoffs, Denver, Los Angeles

3 COMMENTS
In another of our continuing series, five things to keep an eye out for tonight in the Lakers-Nuggets game tonight.

1. Dear God, Make It End: You know those scenes in The Office, where it's too painful to watch? Yeah, this series has been like that. Yes, watching Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom play keep-away is pretty exciting, and don't get me wrong, Kobe dropping 49 always makes for good television. But having to watch as the Denver Nuggets implode on national television just makes you feel bad for them. Carmelo Anthony admits the entire team quit, and George Karl's already updated his resume at this point. At some point, you just want the misery to end. Yes, a victory would salvage some level of pride, but really, is it worth it to prolong the inevitable?

2. What Does The Future Hold?: This game could tell a lot about where the Nuggets are headed. If they get swept, you have to anticipate a reboot/detonation of the current core. Likewise, if trailing 3-0, at home, trying to avoid a sweep, after that disgusting display in Game 3, if the Nuggets are unable to formulate any sort of passion, pride, or sense of self-dignity, it's curtains for George Karl. There may be no way to avoid that possibility at this point, anyway, but a blowout loss tonight would actually make it difficult not to let Karl go.
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George Karl, Nuggets Fighting With Each Other

Posted: Apr 27th 2008 10:32 AM ET by Tom Ziller (RSS feed)
Filed Under: Nuggets, Lakers, NBA Playoffs, Denver

68 COMMENTS
Who said the Nuggets didn't have any fight in them Saturday afternoon as the Lakers smoked them? Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson each ripped coach George Karl after the game, and Karl fired back himself. Chris Tomasson of the Rocky Mountain News offers an A.I. quote, who reacted to being benched for the final 11 minutes of the game.
"To not go back in, I don't understand that,'' Iverson said. "And (Karl) didn't even say nothing to me even afterward . . . I played every game with a broken finger and all. I always came to play, every game we had. So why not tell me nothing?''
'Melo didn't wait for the post-game, according to Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times.
How can the Lakers judge their playoff acumen if they are beating a Nuggets team whose most energetic moment Saturday occurred in the fourth quarter when their coach George Karl was being heckled? "Just don't sit there!"

The heckler's name? Carmelo Anthony.
'Melo also told the Mountain News the entire team quit, from the coaches to the players. Coach Karl disagreed ... well, at least in defense of himself.
"Well, I don't think I quit. I quit on not passing the ball,'' said Karl, when asked about Anthony's post-game comments. "In the fourth quarter. I tried to find some answers. I tried to find, 'Is Chucky (Atkins) going to help us?' . . . I think Melo's emotional right now. He's frustrated right now, as we all are. And keeping our composure and a maturity to it is probably the best way to go.''
Fun times, Denver!