by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni
It wasn’t too long ago that the Denver Nuggets’ public stance was that of doing everything in their power to keep Carmelo Anthony. The new GM said this was the case, the coach was on board with getting through to him, and even Melo’s wife said not to listen to any of the rumors.
According to the latest reports, however, Denver’s management has had a change of heart (and strategy): they’re apparently ready to listen to trade offers for the unhappy Anthony.
The Nuggets still aren’t aggressively shopping Anthony and haven’t withdrawn their longstanding offer of a contract extension, but numerous sources told ESPN.com that Denver officials have in recent days let other teams know for the first time that they will listen to pitches after previously resisting such discussions. “I’m not sure how soon, but I do think they’re going to trade him [between now and February],” said one rival GM. Said another source briefed on Denver’s plans: “There’s no doubt they are working on it. Eventually they’re going to pull the trigger.”
According to a front-office source who has recently spoken with Denver about trading its reportedly-disgruntled small forward, the Nuggets are fielding trade offers for Anthony for the first time in a manner that is nothing short of lottery-style. “Send it in,” league executives are being told of their proposals for the three-time All-Star who can be a free agent next summer.
The Nuggets are reportedly looking for young talent, future draft picks and salary cap relief.
Carmelo Anthony will become an unrestricted free agent after the upcoming season. It seems as though the Nuggets are prepared to avoid suffering similar fates to Cleveland and Toronto this summer.
