Nuggets Not Trading Carmelo

By: Tyler Ward

The Nuggets are 100% that Carmelo will be in a Nuggets uniform next season. 

A team official said that he will return whether he accepts the team offer of a contract extension or not. There were reports last week that Carmelo could be traded, possibly to the New York Knicks. Anthony has not stated if he will accept the 3-year$65 million extension. The team official said that, "There is no way we are trading Carmelo Anthony. We're 100% certain of that."

Carmelo Anthony can opt out of his contract of his contract after the 2010-11 season. However, the Nuggets are confident that they will re-sign Anthony and he will be a Nugget for at least three more seasons. The contract they are offering only has three years on it, but if Anthony declines to accept, he could possibly lose out on millions and millions of dollars. The Nuggets don't think that Anthony will walk away from that contract. So, according to Denver, they are fairly confident Anthony will return because he would not deny that offer.

There have been many scenarios involving New York. The Knicks have told the best free agent, LeBron James, that they could could sign Anthony next summer, in hopes of getting two of the best players in the NBA. They may have enough cap room to offer Anthony a max contract, too. It is not known if this entices Anthony, but I'm sure it does because who wouldn't want to play for LeBron James?

The Knicks have reportedly had interest in bringing Anthony to New York. Amare Stoudemire has publicly stated that he has talked to Carmelo, and he has interest in playing with Stoudemire in the big apple. Anthony and Stoudemire are apparently close friends and talk to each other rather frequently. Carmelo has apparently told some of his close friends that he wouldn't mind playing in New York.

There were also rumors swirling around current Spurs point guard, Tony Parker. The Knicks have been possible suitors for him, also, as they are desperate at that position. Parker said a couple of days ago that he would want a max contract after next season. San Antonio may not want to pay him that, and Parker could be headed to New York if the Spurs don't offer him the maximum deal.

I don't think Carmelo will leave Denver this season, but he could possibly opt out or make a trade happen after this upcoming season is over. I doubt he will be in Denver for his entire career, as he will probably bolt somewhere in the next few seasons. If LeBron signs with New York and stays there for a few years, Carmelo could join him at some point. And if that happens, James could finally have his "Pippen". He would definitely want to stay in Denver if he could get a formidable team around him. The Nuggets have made the Western Conference Finals once in his career and lost to the Lakers that year. If Denver can surround him with talent, he will stay in Denver for a while. But, if they don't, Anthony could leave a team that he has been with since his rookie year in 2003.