Could we have seen Carmelo Anthony's last game in a Nugget uniform? Maybe. The Denver Nuggets recently offered Anthony a 3-year contract extension worth $65 million. No agreement has been announced between the Nuggets and Anthony up to this point. I can see Denver's point of view since Anthony would be a free agent next summer and could opt out of his contract, thus Denver would get nothing in return for him (I am having Dikembe Mutombo flashbacks as I write this). If Anthony doesn't sign the extension Denver would rather trade him now than lose him next summer. From Anthony's point of view he is undecided about the deal because Denver is undecided if they want to pay money to win a championship or just save money. Anthony needs help. Denver's combined playoff record is a dismal 16-30 since Anthony came to Denver in 2003. What Denver has lacked is a quality big man in the paint. We have seen the likes of Marcus Camby, Francisco Elson, and current players like Nene, Chris Andersen, and Kenyon Martin contribute but still get dominated in the paint by taller, more physically dominating, disciplined teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs. So when Anthony gets offered a contract to the tune of 3 years $65 million I understand why there is hesitation to agree to continue in Denver. Anthony wants Denver to show they are still committed to winning a championship and what better time to show that commitment than through free agency? Acquiring a big name free agent not only brings Denver a post presence but also keeps Anthony here for 3 more years. Denver obviously does not have the ability to sign a big name free agent; they must work a sign-and-trade deal with another team willing to take on Denver's baggage, cutting their own roster's payroll. Denver players I am willing to see us give up for a sign-and-trade deal include JR Smith, Nene, and Kenyon Martin. These 3 players are Denver's greatest trade asset to bring in a big name like David Lee, Chris Bosh, or Amare Stoudemire. Sure Denver would be giving up paint presence if they let go of Kenyon Martin and/or Nene however we would be gaining consistency, which we currently do not have. Letting go of JR Smith alone would automatically turn Denver's overall basketball IQ up by at least 100 more than where they are now, Denver GM Mark Warkentien has proven to be one of the most brilliant GMs in the NBA by bringing in Chauncey Billups, drafting Ty Lawson, signing Chris Andersen, and signing Arron Afflalo. He's worked finances in with talent and has made Denver a competitive playoff basketball team. A big problem for Denver is the fact that Warkentien's contract was up at the end of the 2009-2010 campaign. Hopefully Stan Kroenke knows that Denver needs Warkentien now more than ever. If he re-signs Warkentien and brings in a big name this summer, Denver's championship window of opportunity just extended at least 3 years. Hopefully Kroenke's commitment is still with Denver, after all he just bought the St. Louis Rams. I guess we will soon find out where his commitment is.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Crossroads
Could we have seen Carmelo Anthony's last game in a Nugget uniform? Maybe. The Denver Nuggets recently offered Anthony a 3-year contract extension worth $65 million. No agreement has been announced between the Nuggets and Anthony up to this point. I can see Denver's point of view since Anthony would be a free agent next summer and could opt out of his contract, thus Denver would get nothing in return for him (I am having Dikembe Mutombo flashbacks as I write this). If Anthony doesn't sign the extension Denver would rather trade him now than lose him next summer. From Anthony's point of view he is undecided about the deal because Denver is undecided if they want to pay money to win a championship or just save money. Anthony needs help. Denver's combined playoff record is a dismal 16-30 since Anthony came to Denver in 2003. What Denver has lacked is a quality big man in the paint. We have seen the likes of Marcus Camby, Francisco Elson, and current players like Nene, Chris Andersen, and Kenyon Martin contribute but still get dominated in the paint by taller, more physically dominating, disciplined teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs. So when Anthony gets offered a contract to the tune of 3 years $65 million I understand why there is hesitation to agree to continue in Denver. Anthony wants Denver to show they are still committed to winning a championship and what better time to show that commitment than through free agency? Acquiring a big name free agent not only brings Denver a post presence but also keeps Anthony here for 3 more years. Denver obviously does not have the ability to sign a big name free agent; they must work a sign-and-trade deal with another team willing to take on Denver's baggage, cutting their own roster's payroll. Denver players I am willing to see us give up for a sign-and-trade deal include JR Smith, Nene, and Kenyon Martin. These 3 players are Denver's greatest trade asset to bring in a big name like David Lee, Chris Bosh, or Amare Stoudemire. Sure Denver would be giving up paint presence if they let go of Kenyon Martin and/or Nene however we would be gaining consistency, which we currently do not have. Letting go of JR Smith alone would automatically turn Denver's overall basketball IQ up by at least 100 more than where they are now, Denver GM Mark Warkentien has proven to be one of the most brilliant GMs in the NBA by bringing in Chauncey Billups, drafting Ty Lawson, signing Chris Andersen, and signing Arron Afflalo. He's worked finances in with talent and has made Denver a competitive playoff basketball team. A big problem for Denver is the fact that Warkentien's contract was up at the end of the 2009-2010 campaign. Hopefully Stan Kroenke knows that Denver needs Warkentien now more than ever. If he re-signs Warkentien and brings in a big name this summer, Denver's championship window of opportunity just extended at least 3 years. Hopefully Kroenke's commitment is still with Denver, after all he just bought the St. Louis Rams. I guess we will soon find out where his commitment is.
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