If Amare can continue playing like he has been and continue to get his team to play at an equal level, the Knicks have a great shot. But, I'll still go with the Celtics.
I'm waiting for that to wear off anyway. At some point they have got to go back to mediocre, right? I just can't see the Knicks really being that good.
They have a legitimate stud in Amar'e. That guy might have the best jab steps and pump fakes of any big man ever. A few more pieces and they'll rock and/or roll.
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Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,205
The KNICKS are strong and are rising team in the east. However I still don't think they can rise above the MIGHTY CELTICS.
Let the Knicks pick up Mello next year and I think that will be MORE of an impact than Lebron taking his talents to the HEAT.
Peace
*We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
Let the Knicks pick up Mello next year and I think that will be MORE of an impact than Lebron taking his talents to the HEAT.
Peace
Totally. If Melo goes to NY (which I think he's inclined to do), NY should be back on the map of relevancy in the NBA.
7/2/06 - Denver, CO
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
I'm waiting for that to wear off anyway. At some point they have got to go back to mediocre, right? I just can't see the Knicks really being that good.
They have a legitimate stud in Amar'e. That guy might have the best jab steps and pump fakes of any big man ever. A few more pieces and they'll rock and/or roll.
It's funny how Amar'e was questioned bad last year in Phx and then comes to NY and begins what could arguably be his best season yet.
7/2/06 - Denver, CO
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
If I had known Knicks-Celtics would be such a big deal in December, I wouldn't have bought concert tickets. Thankfully I can follow most of the game until the show.
Reading 2004
Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
Chicago 2007
Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016 Fenway 2, 2018 MSG 2022 St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023 MSG 2024, MSG 2024 Philadelphia 2024
"I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
Things happen in the game. Nothing you
can do. I don't go and say,
"I'm gonna beat this guy up."
Do you think the Jazz will get past being an average team in the west? Sure they're in the playoffs year after year, but always seems like they need one more piece to get it together.
The way they're playing so far, I do believe they can get past being just an average team. D-Will has improved tremendously in just one year. This is his team and he knows it and shows in on the court. They guy should definitely be an all-star again, and I will go as far as to say he should be included in the MVP race.
Big Al had a slow start, but is beginning to roll.
AK is playing better than he has in years.
Millsap has proven that he deserves to be a starter.
and our bench has come through as being extremely reliable multiple times this season.
Rookie Jeremy Evans has really been showing up, and him w/ Earl Watson is getting pretty dynamic.
Ronnie Price is fearless as well.
I like this Jazz team and have a lot of hope and faith in them, for seasons to come.
7/2/06 - Denver, CO
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
i hate the knicks but the nba is a better league when they are good. looks like they're on their way. hopefully the sixers follow suit sooner or later.
i hate the knicks but the nba is a better league when they are good. looks like they're on their way. hopefully the sixers follow suit sooner or later.
I'd love to see the Knicks, Sixers and Celtics good again at the same time. It seems like forever since that happened, if at all.
Reading 2004
Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
Chicago 2007
Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016 Fenway 2, 2018 MSG 2022 St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023 MSG 2024, MSG 2024 Philadelphia 2024
"I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
Things happen in the game. Nothing you
can do. I don't go and say,
"I'm gonna beat this guy up."
Celts/Knicks-what a good game. If only that inbounds pass at the end would have been where he could have caught it better, it might be a different story.
But I hated how the announcers were saying how great of a set play it was. Really? Setting up Amare for a 3 pointer (albeit 6 feet past the line) is a great play?
Midwest. Indy/Lafayette.
0
g under p
Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,205
Celts/Knicks-what a good game. If only that inbounds pass at the end would have been where he could have caught it better, it might be a different story.
But I hated how the announcers were saying how great of a set play it was. Really? Setting up Amare for a 3 pointer (albeit 6 feet past the line) is a great play?
Well he did hit the shot, it's just that he didn't have enough time.
Peace
*We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
Celts/Knicks-what a good game. If only that inbounds pass at the end would have been where he could have caught it better, it might be a different story.
But I hated how the announcers were saying how great of a set play it was. Really? Setting up Amare for a 3 pointer (albeit 6 feet past the line) is a great play?
Well he did hit the shot, it's just that he didn't have enough time.
Peace
I can't argue with that, but how many times is he gonna hit it? It's not like he's known for his 3's. I would have imagined a good set play being a lob towards the basket, and he throws it down.
i hate the knicks but the nba is a better league when they are good. looks like they're on their way. hopefully the sixers follow suit sooner or later.
I'd love to see the Knicks, Sixers and Celtics good again at the same time. It seems like forever since that happened, if at all.
the only time that came close to happening in my lifetime was 88-90 or so....they were not great but were all at least decent...
That Knicks/Celtics game last night was excellent. For a regular season game, it doesn't get much better then that.
I can't believe the way Stoudemire is playing. The guy is a powerhouse lately. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want that last shot of his to go in. :oops:
7/2/06 - Denver, CO
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
Yeah, I was pretty happy when the Knicks signed Stoudemire but I had no idea he'd be this dominant.
Turns out it was a pretty genius move!
Yeah, he's really taken ahold of the reigns, so to speak. I like D'Antoni too. He did pretty well with the Suns while there w/ Stoudemire.
7/2/06 - Denver, CO
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
Big trades happening between Orlando and Phoenix. Here is the scoop:
Orlando receives: Hedo Turkoglu (2nd time in Orl), Jason Richardson, Earl Clark
Phoenix receives: Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat, Mickaël Petrius, 2011 First Round Pick and $3+ million.
Orlando makes another move, with Washington:
Orlando receives: Gilbert Arenas
Washington receives: Rashard Lewis.
Some moves that could change either team for better or worse.
7/2/06 - Denver, CO
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
I like the moves for ORL. Can't stand Rashard and his contract, and I'm about as much of a Vince fan as Bill Simmons is. Hopefully Turk finds his way back to his ORL form. JRich is a nice pickup, and you never know what you're going to get out of Arenas. But the question is, does this make ORL much better? Seems like fair trades all around.
Heading to the Celtics/Pacers game tonight. Only game I was really interested in catching this year. Too bad Rondo is out. Hope to have a good time.
KG
Ray Allen (a truly awesome sportsman in terms of skill and being respectful and humble)
Pierce
Shaq
There should be plenty of fun stuff to watch there.
Not to mention the Pacers are an improved team this year.
7/2/06 - Denver, CO
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
any chance that with his free time Delonte West has already found his way into Mrs. Allen's pants?
It's either that or Ms. O'Neal's. I don't think The Big Shamrock would be too ha ppy about that. :?
7/2/06 - Denver, CO
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
8/28/98- Camden, NJ
10/31/09- Philly
5/21/10- NYC
9/2/12- Philly, PA
7/19/13- Wrigley
10/19/13- Brooklyn, NY
10/21/13- Philly, PA
10/22/13- Philly, PA
10/27/13- Baltimore, MD
4/28/16- Philly, PA
4/29/16- Philly, PA
5/1/16- NYC
5/2/16- NYC
9/2/18- Boston, MA
9/4/18- Boston, MA
9/14/22- Camden, NJ
9/7/24- Philly, PA
9/9/24- Philly, PA
Tres Mts.- 3/23/11- Philly. PA
Eddie Vedder- 6/25/11- Philly, PA
RNDM- 3/9/16- Philly, PA
The New Jersey Nets' attempts to acquire Denver's Carmelo Anthony are "further along" than any trade scenario that has been discussed since their near-acquisition of Anthony in late September, according to sources close to the negotiations.
A three-team deal involving the Detroit Pistons that would include at least 15 players -- with Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups winding up in New Jersey with Anthony -- could be completed as soon as this week, sources said.
The primary elements of the scenario currently on the table, sources said, call for New Jersey to acquire Anthony, Billups and Hamilton; Denver to land Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, Anthony Morrow and at least two first-round picks; and Detroit to acquire Troy Murphy and Johan Petro.
Other players with smaller contracts would have to be included to make the salary-cap math work.
One key to the advancing nature of negotiations, sources said, is the Nets' and Nuggets' willingness to complete a trade without asking Detroit to surrender a first-round pick.
When the talks involving Detroit as a potential third-team facilitator were first reported Friday night by the Bergen Record of New Jersey, sources told ESPN.com that the Pistons were balking largely because they were being asked to surrender a first-rounder.
Yet sources said one of the remaining potential snags is New Jersey's insistence that the Pistons absorb the contract of Petro.
The Pistons do not want to take back Petro, even though shedding Hamilton's contract in exchange for Murphy and the Nets' center would represent an overall savings of roughly $17 million.
Sources say Detroit's stance on Petro has prompted New Jersey to begin looking for a fourth team that might be willing to take on the 24-year-old big man.
The Nets turned to Detroit to help seal their months-long pursuit of Anthony after attempts to rope in Cleveland, Minnesota and Portland as a third-team facilitator failed to progress.
Any trade for Anthony, however, still hinges on the All-Star forward's willingness to sign a three-year, $65 million extension with the Nets as part of the transaction in what is known as an extend-and-trade. The Boston Celtics got the same extend-and-trade commitment from Kevin Garnett when they acquired him from Minnesota in July 2007.
The Nets have made it clear that they will not agree to an Anthony deal without getting his signature on an extension a la Garnett. ESPN.com reported last month that the Nets plan to request permission -- and have already been told they will receive it -- to meet with Anthony face-to-face if a trade agreement is eventually struck with Denver. That would allow owner Mikhail Prokhorov and part-owner Jay-Z to lead a Nets contingent that would try to lobby the Brooklyn-born Anthony directly on the team's future, with the Nets planning to move to Brooklyn in time for the 2012-13 season.
The Nets long ago committed to send prized rookie Favors, former All-Star Harris and at least two first-round picks to the Nuggets in exchange for Anthony.
But New Jersey has been attempting to find a third team to help facilitate the blockbuster deal for Anthony that they've been chasing since the September collapse of a four-team swap involving Charlotte and Utah.
One source close to the situation insisted Sunday that the Nets -- optimistic as this sounds -- believe a face-to-face meeting with Prokhorov won't even be necessary to get Anthony's signoff if New Jersey can indeed acquire Billups and Hamilton. It was not immediately clear, though, how Denver native Billups' reported desire to seek a buyout if he's traded by his hometown team to the Nets would affect Anthony's stance.
What did seem clear Sunday is that the talks have taken on their most serious tone since the negotiations in February that would have landed Harris in Charlotte and Jazz veteran Andrei Kirilenko in Denver.
The New York Knicks remain Anthony's strongly preferred destination, sources say, but Denver has shown little interest in the Knicks' assets (such as Wilson Chandler, Landry Fields and Danilo Gallinari) and have been negotiating almost exclusively with the Nets for weeks.
With Favors and a cache of first-round picks it can move, New Jersey has a far more attractive war chest of trade assets. It likewise appears the Nets will not abandon their pursuit of Anthony until they're told directly by the All-Star forward that he would not sign an extension with them, which is the message some sources close to the process still believe New Jersey will get, as reported in December by ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan.
Nets officials, though, have remained quietly confident for months that Anthony, born in Brooklyn, ultimately would agree to the extension -- no matter how much he'd prefer to play in New York -- to ensure that he locks in his contract before labor negotiations this summer that are expected to establish a much more restrictive financial landscape in the league.
One source close to the talks said Sunday afternoon that the deal could be clinched if the Nets can find a fourth team willing to absorb Petro's salary. Detroit has been restricted in its attempts to make roster moves in recent months because of the team's pending sale, but sources told ESPN.com on Friday that the Pistons would be very interested if a trade scenario developed where they only had to surrender Hamilton and take back Murphy.
The Nets and Nuggets, meanwhile, have not stopped looking for other teams beyond Detroit that would be interested in joining the trade, since Denver does not have a strong need for Harris with young guard Ty Lawson on the roster. New Jersey and Denver have likewise continued to discuss trade possibilities with the Nuggets that don't involve any other teams.
I am very intrigued by all of this. But I don't see how the Nets would be any different than what he has now with the nugs? Same mediocre team, and they're too far back to make the playoffs this year more than likely.
Comments
They have a legitimate stud in Amar'e. That guy might have the best jab steps and pump fakes of any big man ever. A few more pieces and they'll rock and/or roll.
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Let the Knicks pick up Mello next year and I think that will be MORE of an impact than Lebron taking his talents to the HEAT.
Peace
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
Totally. If Melo goes to NY (which I think he's inclined to do), NY should be back on the map of relevancy in the NBA.
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
It's funny how Amar'e was questioned bad last year in Phx and then comes to NY and begins what could arguably be his best season yet.
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
Chicago 2007
Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
Fenway 2, 2018
MSG 2022
St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
MSG 2024, MSG 2024
Philadelphia 2024
"I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
Things happen in the game. Nothing you
can do. I don't go and say,
"I'm gonna beat this guy up."
The way they're playing so far, I do believe they can get past being just an average team. D-Will has improved tremendously in just one year. This is his team and he knows it and shows in on the court. They guy should definitely be an all-star again, and I will go as far as to say he should be included in the MVP race.
Big Al had a slow start, but is beginning to roll.
AK is playing better than he has in years.
Millsap has proven that he deserves to be a starter.
and our bench has come through as being extremely reliable multiple times this season.
Rookie Jeremy Evans has really been showing up, and him w/ Earl Watson is getting pretty dynamic.
Ronnie Price is fearless as well.
I like this Jazz team and have a lot of hope and faith in them, for seasons to come.
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
I'd love to see the Knicks, Sixers and Celtics good again at the same time. It seems like forever since that happened, if at all.
Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
Chicago 2007
Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
Fenway 2, 2018
MSG 2022
St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
MSG 2024, MSG 2024
Philadelphia 2024
"I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
Things happen in the game. Nothing you
can do. I don't go and say,
"I'm gonna beat this guy up."
But I hated how the announcers were saying how great of a set play it was. Really? Setting up Amare for a 3 pointer (albeit 6 feet past the line) is a great play?
Well he did hit the shot, it's just that he didn't have enough time.
Peace
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
I can't argue with that, but how many times is he gonna hit it? It's not like he's known for his 3's. I would have imagined a good set play being a lob towards the basket, and he throws it down.
the only time that came close to happening in my lifetime was 88-90 or so....they were not great but were all at least decent...
I can't believe the way Stoudemire is playing. The guy is a powerhouse lately. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want that last shot of his to go in. :oops:
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
Turns out it was a pretty genius move!
Yeah, he's really taken ahold of the reigns, so to speak. I like D'Antoni too. He did pretty well with the Suns while there w/ Stoudemire.
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
Orlando receives: Hedo Turkoglu (2nd time in Orl), Jason Richardson, Earl Clark
Phoenix receives: Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat, Mickaël Petrius, 2011 First Round Pick and $3+ million.
Orlando makes another move, with Washington:
Orlando receives: Gilbert Arenas
Washington receives: Rashard Lewis.
Some moves that could change either team for better or worse.
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_t ... ef:nbahpt1
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
Nelson
Arenas
Richardson
Bass
Howard
...plus Turkoglu.
Not sure if it's going to make them contend with Boston and Miami, but it makes them tougher to defend.
KG
Ray Allen (a truly awesome sportsman in terms of skill and being respectful and humble)
Pierce
Shaq
There should be plenty of fun stuff to watch there.
Not to mention the Pacers are an improved team this year.
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
It's either that or Ms. O'Neal's. I don't think The Big Shamrock would be too ha ppy about that. :?
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
10/31/09- Philly
5/21/10- NYC
9/2/12- Philly, PA
7/19/13- Wrigley
10/19/13- Brooklyn, NY
10/21/13- Philly, PA
10/22/13- Philly, PA
10/27/13- Baltimore, MD
4/28/16- Philly, PA
4/29/16- Philly, PA
5/1/16- NYC
5/2/16- NYC
9/2/18- Boston, MA
9/4/18- Boston, MA
9/14/22- Camden, NJ
9/7/24- Philly, PA
9/9/24- Philly, PA
Eddie Vedder- 6/25/11- Philly, PA
RNDM- 3/9/16- Philly, PA
that's awesome
A three-team deal involving the Detroit Pistons that would include at least 15 players -- with Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups winding up in New Jersey with Anthony -- could be completed as soon as this week, sources said.
The primary elements of the scenario currently on the table, sources said, call for New Jersey to acquire Anthony, Billups and Hamilton; Denver to land Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, Anthony Morrow and at least two first-round picks; and Detroit to acquire Troy Murphy and Johan Petro.
Other players with smaller contracts would have to be included to make the salary-cap math work.
One key to the advancing nature of negotiations, sources said, is the Nets' and Nuggets' willingness to complete a trade without asking Detroit to surrender a first-round pick.
When the talks involving Detroit as a potential third-team facilitator were first reported Friday night by the Bergen Record of New Jersey, sources told ESPN.com that the Pistons were balking largely because they were being asked to surrender a first-rounder.
Yet sources said one of the remaining potential snags is New Jersey's insistence that the Pistons absorb the contract of Petro.
The Pistons do not want to take back Petro, even though shedding Hamilton's contract in exchange for Murphy and the Nets' center would represent an overall savings of roughly $17 million.
Sources say Detroit's stance on Petro has prompted New Jersey to begin looking for a fourth team that might be willing to take on the 24-year-old big man.
The Nets turned to Detroit to help seal their months-long pursuit of Anthony after attempts to rope in Cleveland, Minnesota and Portland as a third-team facilitator failed to progress.
Any trade for Anthony, however, still hinges on the All-Star forward's willingness to sign a three-year, $65 million extension with the Nets as part of the transaction in what is known as an extend-and-trade. The Boston Celtics got the same extend-and-trade commitment from Kevin Garnett when they acquired him from Minnesota in July 2007.
The Nets have made it clear that they will not agree to an Anthony deal without getting his signature on an extension a la Garnett. ESPN.com reported last month that the Nets plan to request permission -- and have already been told they will receive it -- to meet with Anthony face-to-face if a trade agreement is eventually struck with Denver. That would allow owner Mikhail Prokhorov and part-owner Jay-Z to lead a Nets contingent that would try to lobby the Brooklyn-born Anthony directly on the team's future, with the Nets planning to move to Brooklyn in time for the 2012-13 season.
The Nets long ago committed to send prized rookie Favors, former All-Star Harris and at least two first-round picks to the Nuggets in exchange for Anthony.
But New Jersey has been attempting to find a third team to help facilitate the blockbuster deal for Anthony that they've been chasing since the September collapse of a four-team swap involving Charlotte and Utah.
One source close to the situation insisted Sunday that the Nets -- optimistic as this sounds -- believe a face-to-face meeting with Prokhorov won't even be necessary to get Anthony's signoff if New Jersey can indeed acquire Billups and Hamilton. It was not immediately clear, though, how Denver native Billups' reported desire to seek a buyout if he's traded by his hometown team to the Nets would affect Anthony's stance.
What did seem clear Sunday is that the talks have taken on their most serious tone since the negotiations in February that would have landed Harris in Charlotte and Jazz veteran Andrei Kirilenko in Denver.
The New York Knicks remain Anthony's strongly preferred destination, sources say, but Denver has shown little interest in the Knicks' assets (such as Wilson Chandler, Landry Fields and Danilo Gallinari) and have been negotiating almost exclusively with the Nets for weeks.
With Favors and a cache of first-round picks it can move, New Jersey has a far more attractive war chest of trade assets. It likewise appears the Nets will not abandon their pursuit of Anthony until they're told directly by the All-Star forward that he would not sign an extension with them, which is the message some sources close to the process still believe New Jersey will get, as reported in December by ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan.
Nets officials, though, have remained quietly confident for months that Anthony, born in Brooklyn, ultimately would agree to the extension -- no matter how much he'd prefer to play in New York -- to ensure that he locks in his contract before labor negotiations this summer that are expected to establish a much more restrictive financial landscape in the league.
One source close to the talks said Sunday afternoon that the deal could be clinched if the Nets can find a fourth team willing to absorb Petro's salary. Detroit has been restricted in its attempts to make roster moves in recent months because of the team's pending sale, but sources told ESPN.com on Friday that the Pistons would be very interested if a trade scenario developed where they only had to surrender Hamilton and take back Murphy.
The Nets and Nuggets, meanwhile, have not stopped looking for other teams beyond Detroit that would be interested in joining the trade, since Denver does not have a strong need for Harris with young guard Ty Lawson on the roster. New Jersey and Denver have likewise continued to discuss trade possibilities with the Nuggets that don't involve any other teams.
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