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Denver Nuggets: Could Carmelo Anthony return to Denver?

By Kevin Oestreicher

DENVER - FEBRUARY 4: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets enters the court against the Utah Jazz on February 4, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER - FEBRUARY 4: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets enters the court against the Utah Jazz on February 4, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DENVER – JANUARY 23: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets is introduced prior to the game against the Indiana Pacers on January 23, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER – JANUARY 23: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets is introduced prior to the game against the Indiana Pacers on January 23, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Carmelo Anthony had a down year for Oklahoma City and has a massive player option for next season, putting the Thunder in a difficult position. Could he return to the Denver Nuggets?

Carmelo Anthony has been a star in the NBA for a long time. He was drafted #3 overall by the Denver Nuggets, and went on to be the best player on years of Denver teams that made the playoffs year after year. Anthony propelled Denver to the 2009 Western Conference Finals, where the Nuggets fell the Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. He consistently averaged over 25 points per game, and was the face of the Nuggets franchise.

However, Anthony grew unhappy in Denver, wanting a bigger city with a bigger spotlight. He all but demanded a trade, forcing Denver to deal their best player. He made his way to New York, where he became a member of the Knicks, teaming up with fellow superstar Amar’e Stoudemire. The trade netted the Nuggets Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Timofey Mozgov, Raymond Felton, a first round pick, and two second round picks.

Anthony and the Knicks were deemed championship contenders with Anthony and Stoudemire on the roster. Anthony was still a lights-out scorer, however, the Knicks never became the powerhouse team that many were expecting. They were only able to advance past the first round of the playoffs once in Anthony’s seven seasons in New York, and didn’t make the playoffs after the 2013 season.

The Knicks traded Anthony to Oklahoma City during the 2017 off season, pairing him with Russell Westbrook and Paul George. With three superstars, the Thunder were expected to compete for a title, but got bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Jazz. He only averaged 16.2 points per game on 40.4% shooting, a far cry from his usual numbers.

Anthony has a $28 million player option for next year, which is quite expensive for someone who is declining. He also has said that he will not come off of the bench next season, he wants to start. The Thunder might be hesitant to keep Anthony around with those things looming, so a decision must be made.

If the Thunder decide to move on from Anthony, it remains to be seen what teams would be interested. The Nuggets would almost certainly come up as a possible destination because of his past in Denver.

In order to see if an Anthony-Nuggets reunion is possible, three questions would have to be answered. How would he get to Denver, would the Nuggets be interested in bringing him back, and would Anthony even want to come back to Denver?

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