On Jan. 20th, 2011, New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov had this to say about not speaking with Carmelo Anthony, “Maybe he sent me an e-mail but I never use computer, that’s why, maybe, I missed it or maybe carrier pigeon got lost.” Well, word is starting to get out that the two might meet in Los Angeles this weekend to discuss a possible future for Mr. West Baltimore with the Nets.
I guess the Andrew Bynum trade-talk rumors between the Nuggets and Lakers didn’t put the proper scare into the New York Knicks that the Denver front office guys were hoping for. So, going back to the drawing board, or rather back to the well … the Nuggets and Nets trade rumors have started up again.
The NBA all-star weekend in Los Angeles will be more of a business trip for Nuggets General Manager Masai Ujiri I would think than it will be Ujiri enjoying Ray Allen‘s shooting skills or Blake Griffin‘s jumping ability. There are reports that Ujiri could be trying to grab Melo to meet with Prokhorov and Nets GM Billy King.
The question Nuggets Nation will be asking is: Does Melo have any intentions of signing with the Nets?
Well, Melo has stated that he would be willing to meet with the Russian billionaire owner and who knows what kind of sweet nothings he’s be able to whisper into Melo’s ear. A lot of folks don’t think Melo is or would be willing to sign with the Nets, count me as skeptical, but I also didn’t see LeBron James signing a deal in Miami. Anything can happen and I don’t think Knicks owner James Dolan should be too happy that another highly sought after free agent will be, at least, entertaining some wooing from another franchise.
Who knows what the real sticking point is with the Nuggets and Knicks trade rumors. Will the possibility of Melo to the Nets be enough for Dolan to over-ride his GM Donnie Walsh and do what is necessary to pull off a deal for Denver's star player? Will Walsh see this as an opportunity to put together an offer for the Nuggets? Will I have enough milk for my cereal in the morning? These are all questions that nobody knows the answers to and that last one is very worrisome considering that I have access to my refrigerator.
The good news is that each day that we move forward, we are that much closer to a resolution to this whole Melo mess.
The NBA makes those reading commercials for a reason … to I urge you to read to achieve as well:
Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov has 'not changed his mind' about Carmelo Anthony – Colin Stephenson, The Star-Ledger
Stevenson with a nice job here about the possibility of an L.A. meeting and the fact that despite telling the world he doesn't use a computer, Prokhorov does let his assistant use one to fire off emails to the press. I wonder if Proky uses a cell phone. Is it a flip-phone? Does he refuse to get an iPhone, Droid or Blackberry? Does he have that cool old school bag phone? If Melo doesn't get that meeting, I'd like one.
Nets negotiating framework of ‘Melo deal – Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports
Whooooaaaaaa, Woj reporting Denver may part with Chauncey Billups, Melo, Melvin Ely, Renaldo Balkman and my man Shelden Williams in the latest rumor with the Nets. No word yet if the Nuggets might get Derrick Coleman in the deal as well as Derrick Favors.
Trading places: New names crack top 50 – Bill Simmons, ESPN
One of my favorite annual columns … the trade value piece by Simmons! Out of the top 50 is Billups. Honorable mention goes to Arron Afflalo and Ty Lawson. Cracking the top 50 for the Nuggets … Nene and Melo. Go waste some time and read this two-part bad boy … what else do you have to do? Work? Come on, it’s Friday!
Will there be a Melo resolution at All-Star weekend in Los Angeles? – Chris Dempsey, Denver Post
A nice write up by Dempsey on the questions surrounding this weekend and beyond.
From the not so distant vault:
Mikhail Prokhorov Press Conference: Carmelo Anthony Deal 'Has Taken Toll On Players,' Cost Nets Wins (Video) – Russ Oates, SB Nation Denver
The Nets owner may have been right, since the press conference his team is 6-9 and they own a win over the Nuggets during that span (Jan. 31st 115-99).
There was talk that Favors might have the pressure off after the trade talk and could start playing better. In the 15 game span since the press conference he's averaging 20.9 minutes per game, 5.5 points and 6.1 rebounds. On the season he averages 19.5 mpg, 6.3 ppg and 5.3 rpg … not really a jump there.
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