Sorry, but Don’t Hope for Carmelo to Return to Denver

Feb 10, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts after hitting a three point shot against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts after hitting a three point shot against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) controls the ball against Denver Nuggets power forward Darrell Arthur (00) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) controls the ball against Denver Nuggets power forward Darrell Arthur (00) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

With dysfunction brewing wildly in New York, Melo trade rumors are swirling yet again. However, do not expect him to come back to Denver.

Carmelo Anthony has given his all to both Denver and New York. With he and Phil Jackson not seeing eye to eye, people are once again speculating if he will finally waive his no trade clause and leave the Big Apple. This hinges on the recent reports of he and La La separating.

With all of this going on, many Nuggets fans are wondering if he will pull a “LeBron,” and return to the Mile High. The answer is very simple. No, he will not. While the idea is intriguing, there is simply no way it will happen.

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If Melo does decide to leave New York, he will want to go to a contender who is missing just one more piece for a championship run. Denver is not that ready despite how much they have progressed in their rebuilding phase. Expect Anthony to be traded to one of these three teams. Boston, Los Angeles, or Cleveland.

The Nuggets would have to give up way too much in a trade for the star scorer and their priority needs to be focused on the defensive end of the floor anyway. The Knicks would want the Nuggets to include Jokic, Murray, Harris, and/or a draft pick in a package deal and all three of those players are untouchable for Denver.

Denver was the third ranked offensive unit in the league this season, so it would make no sense to add another scorer. I’ll admit, I like Melo and I am one of the few fans who does not hold a grudge against him. Unfortunately, him returning to Denver is just a pipe dream for Nugget fans.

I truly hope the best for Carmelo Anthony and his career. At this point though, the Denver Nuggets need to focus on developing their core and improving their putrid defense.

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The timing just does not fit with Anthony’s window and Denver’s window.