The New Jersey Nets’ pursuit of Carmelo Anthony is over, the team announced on Wednesday, and the negotiations came without ‘Melo ever having met with the franchise working so hard to trade for him. During a strange press conference before the Nets’ Wednesday game against the Utah Jazz, Nets GM Billy King told reporters that the team had received permission from the Denver Nuggets to engage in direct talks with ‘Melo about a potential contract extension.
Carmelo Anthony Trade Talks Never Led To Nets Meeting, Says Billy King
But the Nets never met with Anthony, despite reports that team owners Mikhail Prokhorov and Jay-Z hoped to fly out to Denver to sit down with the All-Star forward on Tuesday.
Prokhorov announced that the Nets had abandoned ‘Melo trade talks at the beginning of a highly anticipated press conference broadcast live on NBA TV. Prokhorov hadn’t appeared in his capacity of primary owner of the Nets since the season opener in October. The Nets’ Wednesday game has been dubbed Russian Heritage Night, as Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko is the only Russian player currently in the league.
It remains unclear whether the Nets and Nuggets reached an agreement on trade pieces before broaching whether ‘Melo would sign an extension with New Jersey. The Nets had been reported to have been ready to give up rookie Derrick Favors, point guard Devin Harris and up to three first-round draft picks, but only if ‘Melo would sign a contract extension.
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