According to ESPN.com, the biggest holdup in a trade that would send Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey may be Anthony himself. Several league sources say Anthony has not told anyone, not even his representatives, that he will sign a contract extension with the Nets.
One source who has spoken with Anthony since trade talks between Denver, New Jersey and Detroit became public last weekend said the Nuggets forward has never even hinted at signing with New Jersey.
This, of course, does not mean there’s no chance of Anthony signing with the Nets. But it does mean the three teams involved in the potential deal that could involve as many as 15 players are working on nothing more than a hunch. For even if they do reach an agreement, Anthony’s refusal to sign a three-year, $65 million extension with the Nets would kill the deal completely. New Jersey has been steadfast in its commitment to trade for Anthony only if he agrees to stay with the franchise long term.
Even if Anthony is less than enthusiastic about the prospects of playing in New Jersey, he has never crossed the Nets entirely off his list of potential destinations, as he did with Philadelphia, Washington and Charlotte when those teams showed interest in trading for him earlier in the season.
The Nets, who have pursued Anthony since failing to land a superstar on last summer’s historic free agent market, firmly believe Anthony is agreeable to signing with them. That belief is based on numerous conversations with Anthony’s agent, Leon Rose, who has worked closely with Denver and New Jersey all season long on putting together potential trade packages.
ESPN.com reported last month that the Nets have already been granted permission to meet with Anthony face-to-face if a trade agreement is eventually struck with Denver. That would allow Nets billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov and part-owner Jay-Z to lead a contingent that would try to lobby the Brooklyn-born Anthony directly on the team’s future in Brooklyn, with the Nets planning to move there in time for the 2012-13 season.
Information from Espn.com and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
