It is clear that the Nuggets intend to trade Carmelo Anthony prior to the February trade deadline. It is also no secret that everything hinges on whether or not he will sign a contract extension.

If Melo signs, more viable trade options will present themselves to Denver. If not, a short list of franchises will likely still attempt to acquire the star small forward and immediately focus to seduce him into signing a long term deal with their franchise.

The oldest, and yet most constantly resurfacing rumor, has Carmelo Anthony heading to New Jersey in exhchange for the combination of Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, and Kris Humphries.

Gone baby gone!

If this deal does happen, Denver can also kiss Chauncey BIllups goodbye. Billups will undoubtedly make a demand to be moved to a team with a chance at contention, rather than stick around while Denver assimilates “New Jersey Nets 2.0.” Following this logic furthermore raises the following questions for the Denver Nuggets to answer:

• Where can Chauncey be sent to, and what can they get in return?
• If you can trade Billups, What about Kenyon Martin?
• Can you retain Nene, or will he be the next to make demands?
• Will Denver finally be able to rid themselves of J.R. Smith by packaging him into the deal?
• If they acquire Devin Harris, what will this mean or Ty Lawson’s development?

This is no easy task for Denver’s management to undertake, but there is absolutely zero doubt that this is their only option. It’s also safe to assume that there will be some sort of multi-team deal involving shipping Billups elsewhere.

I can see Devin Harris being shipped out to a third party so the Nuggets can bring in more youth via the draft, and also leave the starting point guard position open for Ty Lawson.

I see Denver attempting to retain Lawson, Favors, Nene, Afflalo, and every other young player with a rookie contract, opting to trade away anyone from fan favorite Chris Andersen on down.

Folks, I am talking about Denver having a major reconstructive procedure to this Denver roster. Imagine the Nuggets are a drug lord who must go into hiding to avoid being slain, needing an entire new face and identity, hiring the worlds best plastic surgeon to make him anew.

That is how serious the Nuggets makeover is going to be, and if you are a member of the Nuggets faithful, your new personal slogan will have to preach patience above all else.

Lawerence Frank must be concerned. The Nets are off to a 0-11 start. With injuries to Devin Harris (Groin), Yi Jianlian (MCL), and Chris Douglas-Roberts return after his bout with the N1H1 virus, Frank can justifiably argue that his team at full strength all year.

Even is this is the case, the Nets should have been able to win one game by now, and are approaching the worst start in NBA history.

One would think on a fluke alone the Nets would snag at least one victory by now. They have a wealth of young talent:

• Devin Harris
• Brook Lopez
• Chris-Douglas Roberts
• Terrance Williams
• Courtney Lee

Douglas-Roberts has been a beacon of hope in New Jersey. (Credit: picapp.com)

Chris Douglas-Roberts has been on a tear of late, and has shown star potential since returning from the N1H1 virus. He is a fierce competitor and his all around game has been leading the way while Devin Harris recovers from injury.

These players comprise possibly the best group of young talent other than the Oklahoma City Thunder. With the 2010 free agency sweepstakes next year, and with Russian oligarch Mikhail Prokhorov attempting to take over, the Nets could find themselves reversing this years fortunes as soon as next season with some free agent signings.

But that does not help things for New Jersey this season. Lawrence Frank is a good coach, but after reaching the playoffs his first 4 seasons it looks like this season will mark his 3rd consecutive season his team will not reach the playoffs.

This is not a trend that secures your position as an NBA head coach.

Byron Scott was fired after a less horrible start than Frank has had with the Nets. This is another trend not boding well for Lawrence Frank.

The Nets will pursue their first win of the year on Saturday when they host the less crappy New York Knicks (2-9). When you have two teams from the bottom of the heap battling,the game is usually entertaining at the very least.

New Jersey might be able to exploit New York’s guards and the center position. Al Harrington and David Lee should not be able to contain Brook Lopez.

It will be entertaining to see how this plays out.

Trade rumors involving Carlos Boozer, Rip Hamilton, Andre Miller, and CJ Miles are circulating throughout the league.

With substantial free agent activity about to ensue,  trades will be made by both cash-strapped teams and ones hoping to clear cap room for next summer. Historically it has been proven that teams will make trades out of desperation (i.e. Jason Kidd for Devin Harris to the Mavs). What teams are on the verge of making moves they will one day regret.

Protect the Paint will now look at some of the trade rumors floating around the league:

RUMORED TRADES

Carlos Boozer in exchange for Rip Hamilton

Boozer might be headed to Detroit for Rip Hamilton. (Credit: scorereport.com)

It is obvious Hamilton needs to be shipped elsewhere as Ben Gordon and Stuckey are the back-court of the future/now. It’s rare a guy is awarded $50 million or more to be the 6th man. It is curious though as Boozer and Charlie Villanueva essentially play the same position. By trading for Boozer, what purpose was there in signing Villanueva? With free agency rumors involving Brandon Bass, one must wonder why Joe Dumars is trying to stockpile power forwards.

Andre Miller to the Portland Trailblazers

Andre Miller: heading to Portland via sign and trade? (Credit: slamonline.com)

Miller appears to be on his way to Portland via the sign and trade. We mentioned this possibility here last week. This is a sensible move for the Blazers who lacked experience at the point especially evident in the post-season. Brandon Roy will thrive with a good decision maker running the show. Portland may trade Rudy Fernandez–rumored to be unhappy even after Hedo Turkoglu decided not to come to the team–which may be a move general manager Kevin Pritchard ends up regretting. Expect Travis Outlaw to be a part of the deal.

CJ Miles to Toronto Raptors/Boston Celtics/New Jersey Nets

CJ Miles is heating up the trade talks. (Credit: blog.tribphoto.com)

There are many teams (possibly six) rumored to be closing in on C.J. Miles. Miles is young (22), a capable shooter (46% FG in 2008-09), and has played within Jerry Sloan’s strict system. Boston, Toronto, and New Jersey could use his outside shooting, and it is a safe assumption he would thrive in a system outside of Utah, as other players have (see Mo Wiliams). New Jersey has the most talent to offer. Miles would see an increase in minutes in Toronto or New Jersey, resulting in a chance to realize his potential.

Shawn Marion to the Dallas Mavericks

Marion: Heading to Dallas, but will it do any good? (Credit: daylife.com)

This would be a sign and trade deal in which Marion comes to Big D with Jery Stackhouse heading a package of players headed north of the border. This move would give the Mavs some athleticism and a good rebounder. The nucleus of Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, and Marion with Jason Terry and the possible addition of Marcin Gortat improves the roster. Whether it places them among the upper echelon teams of the Western Conference is up for debate. This roster appears to be a work in progress.