Carmelo Anthony To Nets Trade Package Sweetened By Deal With Lakers

The New Jersey Nets traded Terrence Williams on Tuesday for picks and the expiring contract of Sasha Vujacic. On the surface, it simply appeared that the Nets had given up on the seemingly high-maintenance Williams, a 2009 late-lottery pick, and wanted to get out from his guaranteed $1.4 million due next season.

But the trade was really all about Carmelo Anthony.

As a payment for taking on Vujacic and saving L.A. major luxury tax dollars, the Lakers sent the Nets their own 2011 first-round pick, which should fall pretty close to No. 30. To get Williams, the Rockets sent New Jersey their 2012 first-round pick, which is lottery-protected for at least one year. After this trade, the Nets have four picks in the 2011 draft and six in 2012.

The Nets could use those picks. Or they could sweeten their offer to the Denver Nuggets in a trade for ‘Melo.

SB Nation blog Nets Daily breaks down what the Nets could give Denver in a Carmelo Anthony trade:

Expect fast-moving developments as the Nets seek to acquire ‘Melo by dangling multiple picks and Derrick Favors. The Nets reportedly will not deal Favors without an agreement by Anthony to sign a three-year $65 million contract extension. Although he reportedly wants to play for the Knicks, the Knicks cannot match the Nets’ offer. The Nuggets reportedly want a deal heavy in draft picks. That could leave him in a quandary: either extend with the Nets and gain long-term security or wait to see what happens after the Collective Bargaining Agreement is negotiated, a risk that cost him millions.

The Nets’ two most attractive assets other than Favors are their own 2011 pick and the Warriors’ 2012 pick, which is protected through pick No. 7. Under the league’s Stepien rule that restricts teams from trading away two consecutive first-round picks, the Nets could still offer up their own ‘11 pick, the Lakers’ 2011 pick, the Rockets’ 2012 pick and the Warriors’ 2012 pick, plus as many second-round picks as the Nuggets can handle. In terms of draft picks, the Knicks can offer ... uh, their 2014 first-round pick. Given the strength of the Nets’ package, there may soon come a time when the Nuggets start hanging up on the Knicks.