Logical Anthony Trade Scenarios (Part II)

Who ended up being drafted by the three picks the Nuggets sent to the Nets in the Kenyon Martin trade?

One player/team that was left off of the first list was Danny Granger/Indiana Pacers and partly because it’s hard to imagine them willing to rent-a-Anthony. Granger was a likely candidate with the lack of success the Pacers have had in the past and that they drafted Paul George in the first round. However, with the addition of Darren Collison it seems the Pacers would be more inclined in building around Granger.

The second list consists of New Jersey, New Orleans, New York and Orlando:

NEW JERSEY: Carmelo Anthony for Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, Terrance Williams and rights to Golden State’s first round pick
LAST TIME THE TWO TEAMS TRADED: 2005, New Jersey traded Kenyon Martin to Denver for three first round picks
WHY IT WORKS FOR NEW JERSEY: The Nets have been interested in Anthony for a few years now and even tried to trade for him in 2008. Anthony would also play with Brook Lopez, who would also be the best big man he would ever play with. Not to mention Melo is the missing superstar on Jay-Z’s team.
WHY IT WORKS FOR DENVER: Favors has been compared to Antonio McDyess and at 19-years-old has a very bright future. He is built like Dwight Howard and combine him with  Ty Lawson and Denver has an explosive duo to build off of. While the Nuggets don’t need another point guard, Harris would be a valuable asset – even as trade option. He is one of the top young point guards in the NBA and one of the quickest players in the League as well. Williams had a mediocre rookie year, but still has potential in the NBA.
STARTING LINEUP: C-Nene, PF-*Kenyon Martin, SF-Arron Afflalo, SG-Chauncey Billups, PG-Devin Harris
BENCH: *Chris Andersen, Devin Favors, Al Harrington, Terrance Williams, JR Smith, Ty Lawson

NEW ORLEANS: Carmelo Anthony and JR Smith for David West, Peja Stojakovic, Marcus Thornton, Quincy Pondexter, two first round picks
LAST TIME THE TWO TEAMS TRADED: 1996, New Orleans, which was actually Charlotte at the time sent Anthony Goldwire and George Zidek to Denver for Ricky Pierce.
WHY IT WORKS FOR NEW ORLEANS: Probably the biggest reason it works for the Hornets is that Anthony and Chris Paul will play together and the duo could make the Hornets competitive. Not to mention Paul would also love to play with his buddy JR again, especially if New Orleans is winning.
WHY IT WORKS FOR DENVER: West is one of the most underrated players in the NBA and would give the Nuggets a solid low-post presence. Stojakovic while he is expiring is still one of the top shooters in the league and also has an expiring contract. Thornton was a pleasant surprise for the Hornets, averaging nearly 15 points a game with a good in and out game, he’d be an upgrade over Smith who has developed his game into a chuck-it. Pondexter is a rookie that can play right away and develop into a top notch defender.
STARTING LINEUP: C-Nene, PF-David West, SF-Peja Stojakovic, SG-Arron Afflalo, PG-Chauncey Billups
BENCH: *Chris Andersen, *Kenyon Martin, Quincy Pondexter, Marcus Thornton, Ty Lawson

NEW YORK: Carmelo Anthony for Danilo Gallinari, Anthony Randolph, Winston Chandler, Eddy Curry and first round pick
LAST TIME THE TWO TEAMS TRADED: 2008, Knicks traded Renaldo Balkman for Bobby Jones, Taurean Green and second round pick
WHY IT WORKS FOR NEW YORK: Well the Knicks get their man and a year earlier than planned. This is more than they want to give up, but it would hard to imagine Denver accepting for less.
WHY IT WORKS FOR DENVER: Gallinari and Randolph are both up-and-coming young players, Gallinari can shoot the 3-ball and is athletic enough to take it to the basket. Randolph is still young enough to have potential to be a star in the League or at least be a member of the All-Defensive team. Chandler is coming off his best season of his career and has already proved to be a player in the NBA. Curry has an expiring contract and Denver gets at least one pick.
STARTING LEAGUE: C-Nene, PF-Anthony Randolph, SF-Danilo Gallinari, SG-Arron Afflalo, PG-Chauncey Billups
BENCH: *Chris Andersen, *Kenyon Martin, Al Harrington, Winston Chandler, JR Smith, Ty Lawson

ORLANDO: Carmelo Anthony, Renaldo Balkman and Kenyon Martin for Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus, Marcin Gortat, Brandon Bass and Ryan Anderson, two first round draft picks
LAST TIME THE TWO TEAMS TRADED: 2004, Denver traded Jameer Nelson to Orlando for a future draft pick
WHY IT WORKS  FOR ORLANDO: Anthony may be the missing link for the Magic to win the NBA Finals. Dwight Howard is a great defender and average offensive player, Rashard Lewis and JJ Redick are great shooters and Nelson is a good – but not great point guard. It would be the ideal group to put around Anthony.
WHY IT WORKS FOR THE NUGGETS: This deal could be the worst case scenario for the Nuggets, Carter was a 20-point scorer the previous few years, but his scoring fell off when he went to Orlando – partly due to the depth with the Magic. Gortat is a young center that could be a player in the NBA, but nobody knows because he has always been Howard’s backup. Anderson, Pietrus and Bass are ideal role players, hard to see the three do more than that. Obviously Denver would want JJ Redick back, but it is doubtful the Magic would deal him.
STARTING LINEUP: C-Marcin Gortat, PF-Nene, SF-Vince Carter, SG-Arron Afflalo, PG-Chauncey Billups
BENCH: *Chris Andersen, Al Harrington, Ryan Anderson, Brandon Bass, JR Smith, Mickael Pietrus, Ty Lawson

*The three picks dealt for Kenyon Martin turned out to be: Joey Graham (16th pick, 2005); Renaldo Balkman (20th pick, 2006) and Marcus Williams (22nd pick, 2006).