ESPN: Lakers-Nuggets talking Bynum for Melo trade

[LonghornDub]

This would be....interesting. But it sounds like little more than ESPN filler at this point.

The Lakers and the Denver Nuggets have had preliminary discussions about a blockbuster trade that would send Carmelo Anthony to Los Angeles, according to league sources. The Lakers' package would be built around Andrew Bynum.

Talks are in the preliminary stages, but it appears that another option besides the New York Knicks has materialized for the Nuggets.

"There have been discussions between the two teams," one of the sources said. "The Lakers are definitely an option."

Of course, Anthony, who can opt out of his contract after this season, would likely have to agree to sign a three-year, $65 million extension with the Lakers for them to part with Bynum. But Los Angeles is believed to be a city Anthony would be amenable to playing in, as he and his wife, La La Vasquez, bought a home there last summer. Two people close to Anthony said the Nuggets superstar would sign off on a deal that would make him a Laker.

More on the Lakers

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The Nuggets have no interest in Lakers forward Ron Artest and sources said they may not insist on getting Lamar Odom either. A straight-up trade of Anthony for Bynum meets the financial requirements of the collective bargaining agreement, but more players could be involved since Denver would look to shed as much salary as possible.

The Nuggets are also engaged in talks with New York about a three-way trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves. Initial discussions centered around Denver getting Wilson Chandler, with Minnesota sending Corey Brewer and a first-round pick to Denver as well. But Denver wants more than that and has its eye on young Knicks assets Danilo Gallinari and Landry Fields, along with Chandler.

Minnesota, which would receive Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry in the trade, also wants more in return if it is to send a first-round pick to Denver.

In a sign that the Denver-New York talks have heated up, Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan has had direct negotiations with Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke, according to the New York Daily News.

One stumbling block to a Nuggets-Knicks deal, however, is the health of Chandler. The Daily News reported Tuesday that he is experiencing discomfort in his surgically repaired left ankle.

With the Feb. 24 trade deadline approaching, the Nuggets are weighing every possible option, including holding on to Anthony for the remainder of the season while hoping the owners can negotiate the right to put a franchise tag on players in the new collective bargaining agreement. Under that scenario, the Nuggets would be able to "franchise" Anthony and keep him in Denver.

Photos: Carmelo Anthony's career

Stay in Denver? Go to N.Y. or L.A.? As MeloDrama plays out, enjoy photos of
a star's career: Carmelo Anthony Photo Gallery

The likeliest outcome, however, remains that Denver will trade Anthony before Feb. 24, and one source said the club will likely pull the trigger a week or so before the deadline.

It is believed that the Lakers have not yet made an offer for Anthony but that the two clubs have merely had discussions.

Los Angeles has long viewed Bynum as a building block and potential star, but a series of knee injuries throughout his six-year career has frustrated the Lakers to the point that one source said the club would consider moving him. Bynum missed the first 24 games of this season while recovering from offseason knee surgery and also missed a game last week with a bruised knee.

Pau Gasol starts at center in Bynum's absence, with Odom moving to power forward, and the Lakers' record of 18-7 without Bynum this season is better than their record with him (18-9).

The Nuggets like Bynum's immense upside and believe that, at 23 years old, he can overcome his health issues. They understand it would be a risk, though, and are not entirely certain they would trade for him, one source said.

While Bynum is clearly a health risk, acquiring him is not a huge financial risk for Denver, considering his great potential. Bynum has two years and $31 million left on his contract, but the final year is a team option for $16.5 million. If Bynum experiences another injury next season, the Nuggets could decide not to pick up the option and thus be on the hook for just the $15.1 million he's due next season.

Bynum is averaging 11.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in 27 games this season. In five full seasons with Los Angeles, Bynum has averaged only 56 games per season due to injuries.

Anthony is coming off a 50-point, 11-rebound outing Monday, but the Nuggets lost to the Rockets.

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angele...ory?id=6101304

[mavs777]

ugh, I hope this isn't true

[EricaLubarsky]

a young talent semi-expiring?

Sounds like we could get Melo if we wanted for Roddy and Butler and some picks perhaps.

Im just glad we arent mortgaging our future for an overrated player that will probably leave next season anyway.

As for the Lakers....@#$$ the league if this happens.

[mavs777]

still have yet to hear 1 reason on what makes Carmello overrated.

[DirkFTW]

Originally Posted by mavs777

still have yet to hear 1 reason on what makes Carmello overrated.

That's cause we know not to snitch.

[bernardos70]

One reason: http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/1/3...y-kevin-martin

[Robillion]

The problem here is that Melo probably would sign an extension to be a Laker... the only thing that I could see holding this up is Denver not wanting to send him to a West team and hoping they can get a better offer out East. The Knicks will probably have to give in to some talent now with Bynum on the table. If I was Melo, Id switch my focus to the Lakers though... this sucks.

[JeffViggiano]

is it an other gift for the Fakers???no way!!!

[tcat075]

Hmm...would that Lakers team even work? Sure, they'd have talent, but just like Bryant and Shaq, wouldn't Kobe and Carmelo clash sooner or later. I'd opt for sooner, because there was no Gasol on the early 2000s Lakers either...

[fluid.forty.one]

Lakers are scary because of their size.

This is all abou leverage.

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by fluid.forty.one

Lakers are scary because of their size.

This is all abou leverage.

Yup. Denver(rightly)driving up the price. Wilson Chandler and a 1st ain't enough.

[mavs777]

Originally Posted by mac222b

Yup. Denver(rightly)driving up the price. Wilson Chandler and a 1st ain't enough.

I think so too, the logic of this is Melo would sign an extension with the Lakers, so what that would do is the Knicks won't know they will get him for nothing in the offseason.

I would think Fields and Chandler would have to be involved for sure, wonder if Denver would be interested in Mosgov

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by mavs777

I think so too, the logic of this is Melo would sign an extension with the Lakers, so what that would do is the Knicks won't know they will get him for nothing in the offseason.

I would think Fields and Chandler would have to be involved for sure, wonder if Denver would be interested in Mosgov

Mosgov could be pretty good down the line. Surprisingly athletic.

[mac222b]

They really outta push for Gallo, Fields, Mosgov and a 1st.
If the Knicks say no, trade him to the highest bidder(not named LA Lakers) as a rental.

[ceelowdream]

It's an insane deal if LA can pull it off. Melo and Kobe. Miami has some trouble.