So here is the second half of my thoughts on the Carmelo trade. Any time a big-name player like Carmelo Anthony is traded, it is worth noting what effects it will have on the teams involved and those that are indirectly involved, like the Blazers in this case. But let's first start with the Nuggets.
Carmelo clearly wasn't going to resign with Denver. Regardless of what he said in the media, he was never interested in returning. Watching his close buddies, LeBron and Wade team up in Miami (remember, these were the big three of the Olympic team in 2008), made Carmelo jealous. Rumors began floating around of a possible trifecta in New York of Melo, Amar'e and CP3. They have two of the three now (with no shot at the third, sorry Knicks fans). After watching Cleveland leave empty handed, and seeing Toronto receive only a trade exception, Denver did not want to be caught at the end of the year without getting something back for Carmelo.
Let's take a look at the haul: Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov (also known as Blake Griffin's Facial), a 2014 first round pick and conditional future picks. That is quite a bit for only giving up, essentially, Carmelo and Billups. They still hold on to Al Harrington's less-than-desirable contract, but they managed to shed Balkman (perpetual bench rider). On the Nuggets end, this trade looks significantly brighter. This year will be a bit of a loss now because it will be tough to incorporate all these new pieces in a cohesive manner. But this does make the Nuggets a young group of athletes, although I can't comment on the cap situation as I have yet to look.
Felton and Lawson should have a UNC duke out (pun intended) for the starting point guard spot. Afflalo has a pretty tight grip on the shooting guard spot, with the gunner JR Smith behind him. Wilson Chandler will slide into the small forward position over Al Harrington, I expect, giving the Nuggets A LOT of size. Danilo and Nene will round out the front line. That leaves a bench of the point guard loser, JR Smith, Harrington, Martin and Mozgov.
Is that a championship contending team now? Of course not and it won't be in the future either without a little help. But it gives the Nuggets a lot of young pieces to work with and buys them some time to develop. Depending what happens with the CBA, they may be able to package some of those young pieces together and pull a star back to Denver. Denver comes out looking strong on this trade. Especially considering they were supposed to be the ones negotiating with their backs against the wall.
So Blazer fans, you are probably asking yourself what this means to us? Well it means that we will most likely finish ahead of the Nuggets in the playoff race now. At least I would be shocked if we didn't. It definitely means that we will finally be able to win in the Pepsi Center, where we haven't won since 2004. And hopefully with Utah in the awkward transition of a coaching change, they too will slip. This trade really alters the Northwest Division, giving the Blazers the opportunity to grab the 6th seed. And while that means a first round series with Dallas, I'd still rather face Dallas than L.A. or San Antonio in the first round.
Coming up tomorrow, trade rumors and the Blazers. And if I have time, I am going to begin a segment that will probably run three or four posts long on the NBA's upcoming labor situation, what it means to fans, players and owners. Make sure you check back.
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