The New Jersey Nets’ efforts to land Denver’s Carmelo Anthony now revolve around a complex three-team trade that would involve several members of the Detroit Pistons, according to a variety of reports.
Here are the essential facts, from The Bergen Record.
In the complicated scenario that’s being discussed, the Nets would send Derrick Favors, Devin Harris and at least two first-round picks to Denver and Troy Murphy’s expiring contract to the Pistons. In return, the Nets would get Anthony and Chauncey Billups from the Nuggets and likely Richard Hamilton from the Pistons, who are looking to shed salary. Hamilton has two years and $25 million remaining on his contract.
There are many more players involved, including Anthony Morrow going to Denver and Johan Petro to Detroit — to make the salaries match. But this is one of multiple things the Nets are discussing in an effort to land Anthony.
The Nets also are trying to trade with Denver straight up for the All-Star small forward.
Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Anthony’s agent. Leon Rose, is a driving force behind the proposed trade.
Rose represents Hamilton and, maybe more importantly, New Orleans star guard Chris Paul, who can be a free agent after the 2011-2012 season.
This one sounds interesting, but murky. Most likely it’s hardly the last twist in the ongoing Anthony saga.