Among the players listed, if the Nuggets trade into the latter half of the top 10, are Klay Thompson, Alec Burks, Jimmer Fredette, Bismack Biyombo, Marcus Morris or Kawhi Leonard. (Earlier this month, we discussed the Nuggets moving up to select Burks, Fredette, Derrick Williams or Kemba Walker.) (more…)

And the Carmelo Anthony rumor mills continue. ESPN, FanHouse and Denver Post are all reporting that the Denver Nuggets are open to trading Anthony and they want top-tier young players, future first=round draft picks and salary compensation.

As we proposed late last week a three-way trade with New Jersey and Philadelphia makes sense and fits the criteria. It not only works for the Nuggets, but also the other two squads involved. Denver gets a young star Andre Iguodala (five months younger than Anthony), a potential future star in Derrick Favors and draft picks. New Jersey gets a superstar and Philadelphia can get out from under Iguodala’s contract and can play their young stars.

If the Nuggets keep Kenyon Martin and Jason Kapono through the season they have two expiring contracts and their salary cap would be around $56 million before they figure out what to do with Billups contract. And if they decide to deal Billups for expiring contracts or straight up cut him the cap would be around $42 million, but if they work out an extension at half the price it would be around $48 to $49 million.