With all the rumors that have surfaced over the last few months about where Carmelo Anthony might land, trading him seemed like it was all but a certainty because he wouldn't be accepting an extension with the Nuggets. But we've seen many times in the past that teams have let their superstars walk in free agency without recouping anything in return *cough* The Heatles *cough*.
According to Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post, that may be the path the Nuggets are prepared to head down with Carmelo Anthony, despite everything you've heard.
Those close to the situation say there is a better-than-average chance Anthony will not be dealt until after the season. But that option isn't the best way to collect a significant amount of future assets for the forward. Yet, if the Nuggets are going to get something similar now to what they could get in the offseason, they will opt to keep the team intact and see what it can do in the playoffs.
That seems like a situation in which everyone loses. Nuggets fans who know that they aren't good enough to win a championship and realize that Carmelo will probably be walking for nothing more than a trade exception and a draft pick this summer. Fans of the teams that Carmelo Anthony could get dealt to that are seeing those dreams evaporate. And fans of NBA chaos that are enjoying the turmoil that these rumors bring to the game. Lose, lose, lose.
But like every rumor that has been associated with this trade, I'm sure this one will change in the next few hours too. So stay tuned.