ESPN produces a lot of crap. Some awful things are shoved down our throats by this all encompassing sports giant, be it online content, radio, or TV. Not everything the WWL spits out is bad though. Simmons is good, Chad Ford’s draft stuff is awesome, and their fantasy stuff is the best I’ve seen by far. All of that pales in comparison to the holy grail of time wasters- ESPN.com’s NBA Trade Machine.
The Denver Nuggets can’t possibly be so dumb as to assume they will turn out any better than the Raptors or Cavs if they do not trade Carmelo Anthony before the trade deadline. Anyone with a pair of eyes can watch them play and see a NBA title is not in their future. Whether it be to a team he signs with long-term, or as a hired gun, Melo needs to be moved for the Nuggets to start the long process of breaking down a contender and moving back towards respectability. So here’s 2 potential trades-
Knicks get: Carmelo Anthony, Al Harrington, Chris Anderson, Aaron Afflalo, Wayne Ellington, Sheldon Williams
Nuggets get: Corey Brewer, Wilson Chandler, Kelenna Azubuike, Roger Mason, Andy Rautins, Anthony Tolliver, a future 1st round pick from Minnesota
T-Wolves get: Eddy Currys corpse, Bill Walker, Timofey Mozgov, Anthony Randolph
Why the Knicks do it: To block a potential Lakers move for Melo.
Why the Nuggets do it: While it’s not a perfect trade, they get a legit starting 3 in Chandler, young guys, a draft pick, and cap room.
Why the T-Wolves do it: For a non-lottery pick and Corey Brewer, they get to take a chance on some really talented young guys.
Nuggets get: Monta Ellis, Devin Ebanks, Derrick Caracter, Marvin Williams
Lakers get: Carmelo Anthony, Mo Evans, Louis Amundson
Hawks get: Andrew Bynum, Ron Artest, Al Harrington, Brandon Wright
Warriors get: Josh Smith, Shannon Brown, Zaza Pachulia
Why the Nuggets do it: Ellis and Lawson would be the fastest backcourt in the league, they’d pick up 2 nice prospects, plus Williams is a flippable asset.
Why the Lakers do it: Because Bynum’s body isn’t built to play basketball 82 games a year. Because Ron Artest sucks. Because Kobe can no longer be the man every night.
Why the Hawks do it: To move Al Horford to his natural 4 position.
Why the Warriors do it: Because all they want to do is run teams off the court, and the lineup of Curry-Brown-Wright-Smith-Biedrins can do that.
