The Denver Nuggets continue to drive a hard bargain when it comes to trading Carmelo Anthony. As of Sunday night, it looked like they were closing in on a three-team trade that would send Anthony, Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups to the Nets, Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, Anthony Morrow and at least two first-round picks to the Nuggets and Troy Murphy and Johan Petro to the Pistons. But the Nuggets have reportedly backed away and are now trying to get even more value in return for Anthony.
Carmelo Anthony Trade: Nuggets Reportedly Trying To Add More Pieces To The Deal
According to CBS Sports’ Ken Berger, the Nuggets are aiming for “one more quality young player and more cost savings” within the current framework of the trade, and if that fails, they will try to add more teams into the arrangement.
The Nuggets, negotiating from a position of strength because they own the most coveted asset in the trade, are trying to extract one more quality young player and more cost savings from the current framework of the deal -- and if they can't do that, expand it or explore other scenarios to ensure they are getting the most assets possible for parting with their superstar.
The Nuggets are not enamored of Harris, according to Berger, and are looking to find another team for him. They would like to send him to Portland in a package involving Nicolas Batum, according to Berger. They would also like to send away one of their other long-term contracts, such as Al Harrington or Renaldo Balkman.
Despite these requests, talks between the Nuggets, Nets and Pistons have not yet broke down, according to Berger. However, frustration has begun to build up, and after a long weekend of discussions, the two teams are still in the “communicating” stages. Denver does not want to rush into a deal, but it remains to be seen how long the Nets and Pistons are willing to wait for them.
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