Nuggets reach out to Nets for Carmelo

NEWARK, N.J.

The Denver Nuggets last week demanded five Knicks players and a first-round pick to sanction Carmelo Anthony's move to New York, the New York Post reported Thursday.

According to a league source, Denver wanted Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Landry Fields, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov plus the first-round pick (obtained via Anthony Randolph), for the All-Star small forward and point guard Chauncey Billups.

2012'S NO-HITTERS

• Angels ace Weaver no-hits Twins
• Twins: What just (no-)hit us?
• Hear from Weaver after no-hitter
• Photos: This year's no-no gems
• Humber's imperfect road to perfecto

The heavy demands — described by the source as "not even logistically possible" — shocked Knicks management, who still hope to continue talks with the Nuggets ahead of next Thursday's trade deadline.

Meanwhile, Denver bosses were now reaching out to the Nets to try to re-engage them in talks for Anthony.

The Nets were always seen as the team with the best assets to offer the Nuggets in return for the star, and some felt it was only a matter of time before talks resumed prior to the trade deadline.

One source close to the situation labeled the talks as “exploratory,” claiming there have been discussions, nothing is close, and any deal would in no way mirror the mega-blockbuster that was discussed, proposed and ultimately derailed by Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov on Jan. 19 after a lengthy, drawn-out process.

“There’s no Detroit, there’s no 17 players,” one source claimed. “Any deal would be a shell of the January version.”

A deal now likely would involve Nets draft picks, rookie Derrick Favors, and the expiring contract of Troy Murphy. And, again, the Nets would not make any deal unless they are certain Anthony would sign the three-year, $65 million contract extension Denver has had on the table since June.

Anthony also has $18 million guaranteed for next year that he would lose if he opts out for free agency. The Nets always have proceeded under the belief that Anthony would agree to sign and come to New Jersey if a deal could be struck with the Nuggets.

Sources contend the Nuggets called back, in part, because they are convinced Anthony will not re-sign in Denver, despite his recent claim he would take “a hard look” at staying put.

Anthony admitted Wednesday "something would have to happen" before next week's deadline.

CRYGATE

• Whitlock: Heat can gain from pain
• Whitlock: I bet it was LeBron
• Reiter: Are Heat losing it?
• Heat react to CryGate
• Top 10 criers in sports
• Video: Reiter on CryGate

Prokhorov flew in last month and pulled the plug on the notoriously public talks, canceling a meeting planned with Anthony that week. Prokhorov said the deal had become “too long and too expensive” and ultimately cost the team up to five losses. The billionaire insisted his decision was final.

Prokhorov, Nets GM Billy King, and Anthony will be in Los Angeles this weekend for the All-Star Game and it is logical to assume there will be some sort of discussion. But one person close to the situation claimed no knowledge of any formal meeting planned.

Read more ...