NOTHING BUT NETS: It wasn’t a slam dunk, but the proposed blockbuster, three-team trade that would land Nuggets superstar Carmelo Anthony in New Jersey was nearing fruition last night. AP
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It ain’t over till it’s over, and it ain’t done till it’s done.
And that’s what the Nets, who remain optimistic of completing the trade, were reminded of in excruciatingly frustrating and painful fashion last night as they closed in on a three-team, double-figure-player deal for Carmelo Anthony. Before all sides said, “I do,” the Nuggets began to waffle, trying to squeeze a bigger haul for their superstar.
So Nets execs went home thinking the deal that would fetch them Anthony, as well as Denver’s Chauncey Billups and Detroit’s Rip Hamilton, still would get done but with their shopping bags empty. What changed most was the time frame. Some thought the deal would be agreed to in principle last night, some said today. If the blockbuster swap is not done today, it could drag on because the Nets play in Phoenix Wednesday and physicals must be completed before the trade is finalized.
But getting the deal done was first and foremost.
“There was real progress,” one source claimed of the proceedings, confident it still would get done despite Denver’s late-day flip-flop.
“There is no deal,” one source close to the talks said last night. “An hour ago, I thought it was done.”
So the push will be on to reach an agreement today. The Nets are scheduled to practice at 1 p.m., and it could turn into a real treat with over half the team set to be traded. Then there’s Wednesday’s game.
If an agreement is reached and a deal finalized, the Nets can still come together thanks to owner Mikhail Prokhorov’s billions. One source said the owner had charter flights available this weekend. Prokhorov and the lure of Brooklyn — after a year and a half stay in Newark — have been the Nets’ selling points for Anthony.
Should the Nets again have to seek another trade partner, they likely will look to the Cavaliers, who own a $14.5 million trade exception.
In Denver last night, all the parties in the trade, including Anthony, were available for the Nuggets’ game against the Hornets. Anthony was in his usual spot in the starting lineup.
Asked if he were willing to sign the three-year, $65-million extension the Nuggets have had on the table since June and the Nets would require him to agree to before finishing the deal, Anthony told reporters, “I ain’t talking about that.”
The Nets, since talks began on an original four-team deal back in September, maintained the belief Anthony would agree to sign the extension to play with them. They never would have gone through all the trade headaches without that conviction.
The holdup, presumably, was Denver asking for more draft picks, though that was not precisely clear. Some suggested the Nuggets wanted to rework the player framework involved. Even with the late snag, the Nets, as they have been from the outset, remained optimistic they would land the star they so desperately need.
“It’s close, very close,” one source said. “Has been for a couple days.”
Then came the snag. Oops. But Anthony’s camp is pushing for the deal with the Nets. Anthony’s agent is Leon Rose, who also represents Hamilton, as well as 2012 free agent Chris Paul.
The Nets essentially would gut their roster. Eight Nets would be headed out in the pre-snag scenario. Prized rookie Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, Anthony Morrow, Quinton Ross, Ben Uzoh and Stephen Graham and at least two first-round picks would go to Denver. The Nets would receive Shelden Williams and Anthony Carter from Denver to join the holdovers: Brook Lopez, Travis Outlaw, Kris Humphries, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar and Damion James.
Troy Murphy, who has a desirable expiring $11.9 million contract, and Johan Petro would be bound for Detroit. One holdup in the discussions regarded Petro after the Pistons balked at taking the 7-footer, whom the Nets signed for three years and $10 million over the summer. The Nets may also include a draft pick to Detroit.
The trade had been configured with as many as 17 players, but had been whittled down. One source said the teams drew up about 20 variations to cover all contingencies.