Carmelo Anthony Trade Holding Up Other Deals, According To Report

The lack of closure in Carmelo Anthony trade negotiations is holding up other NBA deals, according to a report from FanHouse’s Chris Tomasson.

Tomasson reports that the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers would engage in a second deal should ‘Melo be sent to the New Jersey Nets, with Devin Harris being flipped to the Blazers for Nicolas Batum and Andre Miller. Batum rumors have been rampant for some time, with Portland said to be highly resistant to moving him.

With so many players -- up to 18 -- involved in the rumored three-team deal centered on ‘Melo and Derrick Favors, there are too many moving parts for other deals to get done. It isn’t believed that a ‘Melo-Nets deal will lead to responses from the East’s powers simply because Anthony won’t make New Jersey an immediate threat. There’s little need for the Knicks, Heat, Celtics, Magic or Bulls to respond to any trade by the Nets, unlike (for instance) the Suns’ acquisition of Shaquille O’Neal in 2008.

But an eventual ‘Melo trade, assuming it’s consummated well before the trade deadline, could serve as an uncorking of sorts. Few teams can be satisfied with their current standing, and upcoming collective bargaining has plenty of franchises skittish about retaining long-term salary. If Anthony is traded soon, plenty more deals could follow in short order.