As various members of the New Jersey Nets prepare to be traded for Carmelo Anthony, the Dallas Mavericks have sprung up as a(nother) potential partner for the Denver Nuggets. CBSSports.com's Ken Berger, the Bergen Record's Al Iannazzone and the Denver Post's Benjamin Hochman all reported today that the Mavericks are interested in trading for 'Melo even if he won't agree to immediately sign a contract extension.
Can Carmelo Anthony Trade Talks Really Be Infiltrated By Mark Cuban?
SI.com's Zach Lowe breaks down just how difficult pulling off a trade for 'Melo would be for the Mavericks. Very plainly, it would certainly take a third team, and would probably require 'Melo shutting down the Nets talk by telling New Jersey he won't sign an extension there. That would take Derrick Favors off the table, and that's the only way prospect-poor teams like the Mavericks can get involved.
That said, there is some potential for the Mavericks to make an attractive option for the Nuggets.
* As Berger alludes to, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is not shy or subtle. Dallas has been involved in every single superstar trade rumor since roughly 2004, when Shaquille O'Neal first went on the market amid his fall-out with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. Since then, they have been a player in Kobe trade talks in 2007, in Chris Paul talks a couple years ago (when the Mavs sent out not-so-discreet assertions they'd be willing to take every bad contract New Orleans had to grab CP3), and in the whole LeBron James-Chris Bosh-Dwyane Wade sweepstakes this summer. Berger writes:
Mark Cuban is said to be not only willing to take a chance on Anthony, but eager to steal him from the Nets, who are owned by his billionaire rival, Mikhail Prokhorov.
Yes, Cuban is that crazy. He's paid as much luxury tax as the Knicks' James Dolan over the last decade. Al Harrington? Chris Andersen? Cuban will take all of that bad salary if he thinks it will win him a championship.
* Rodrigue Beaubois is a much-beloved prospect. He's been on the shelf due to an injury suffered in FIBA preparations with the French national team. No matter. He's a gem, and while he's not close to Favors' level as a trade chip, the Mavericks could spin him off to a third team for a pick or two.
* The Mavericks have expiring contracts. Caron Butler is on the last year of a deal that pays him $10 million, and DeShawn Stevenson's $4 million deal expires this season as well. Expiring contracts are the lubrication of the NBA trade market, and the Mavericks are as equipped as most to deal with it. (Tyson Chandler also has a fat expiring contract, but Dallas shouldn't need it and does need Chandler to win a title.
Knocking the Nets out of the running will be a large task so long as a ‘Melo extension there in New Jersey remains a possibility. But if anyone can make a run at ‘Melo for a rental, the Mavs can’t be ruled out.
For more Carmelo Anthony trade rumors, follow our StoryStream and check out Denver Stiffs. For Mavs rumors and analysis, check out Mavs Moneyball.
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