Trader’s Market: Melo – The Unlikelies, Pt. 2
Carmelo will certainly make ‘no’ an answer for these teams.
by Sandy Dover / @SandmanSeven
We know now that Carmelo Anthony clearly only wants to play with two other teams outside of the Denver Nuggets, but that hasn’t stopped me from conjuring up other interesting scenarios that would make for good fits for him, unlikely as they may be (by way of ESPN’s Trade Machine).
For Part 1, check here.
TRADE 4
WHY IT WORKS
Carmelo would be the ultimate find for the zany mind of Golden State Warriors head coach Don Nelson. With the size to play both forward spots (depending on the match-ups) and with a hand to score the ball with high volume, Nellyball would be a real trip with the Melo Man. Having a triumvirate of Melo, Stephen Curry and David Lee could yield some interesting and entertaining games for Golden State, but would it translate into playoff success? Doubtful…but not impossible.
The Denver Nuggets on the other hand would be getting back two scorers in their own right who would be welcome additions for the team. A backcourt of Monta Ellis with Chauncey Billups and Tywon Lawson at the point would be dynamic and scary for some teams, and Ellis is Anthony’s equal in terms of scoring. Vladimir Radmanovic, as quirky and random as he can appear to be, is also a very good fit for the Nuggets as a big man who can play the three frontcourt positions and stretch the floor with his three-point shot. If Denver could remain healthy, a playoff bid with the new jacks would be possible and could be surprisingly scary.
TRADE 5
WHY IT WORKS
Melo with the Minnesota Timberwolves would help set some things in order concerning the roster, so it would be a big win for Minnesota just to subtract some players to make room for No. 15. Again, scoring from the wing is a big need for the Wolves, so Anthony fits right in, but his surrounding talent would likely be too inexperienced to help him go to the Playoffs, no matter if Jonny Flynn, Corey Brewer, Kevin Love and Darko Milicic do have career years.
Denver would secretly be laughing, thinking that they probably scored a potential successor to Melo in pure talent in landing Michael Beasley. Though troubled, having a coach to encourage and push him who knows about overcoming personal adversity might be what Super Cool Beas needs right now. Martell Webster would give the Nuggets some much-needed defense, shooting and enthusiasm, and Kosta Koufos would be able to blossom with some good minutes next to Nene. The Nuggets would likely still compete for a playoff spot, but barring any other changes, I wouldn’t expect much more than a first-round ouster.
TRADE 6
WHY IT WORKS
Though farfetched, Anthony and Mr. Big Shot going to Philly would be an interesting prospect for the Eastern Conference. Both players are able to disable teams with the right support and in the Eastern Conference, there would be a wider opportunity to sneak by some teams still in great competition for winning a championship. Melo getting featured time at small forward would be a given, but Billups getting the opportunity to mentor young point guard Jrue Holiday would pay dividends in the future. Philly would certain get some sort of playoff spot, but there would still be some significant work to do in order for a true contending team to arise.
The Nuggets would have to pay Elton Brand, but he’d have less pressure to deliver in Denver, no longer being the failed free agent catch of The City of Brotherly Love, and he would probably get more meaningful minutes and play better as a by-product. Evan Turner being sent in the deal would be a godsend for the team and help to put J.R. Smith out on the curb for pick-up. Turner or Lou Williams could be the starting shooting guard with Lawson, though Williams would certainly be a great sixth man. Thaddeus Young would get some great burn as well at either of the forward spots, but with Lawson at point, Turner as the primary two, Brand at power forward and Nene at center, Young would be nice at small forward and could go to the four when either of the starting bigs go to the bench. Denver would instantly be dynamic and energetic and poised for a new beginning — a monumental win for the Nuggets.
Sandy Dover is a novelist/writer, artist, and fitness enthusiast, whose work has been featured in Robert Atwan’s “America Now,” USA Today’s UWire, and Yahoo!’s Associated Content. You can find Sandy frequently here at SLAMonline, as well as at Facebook and Twitter.
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