The Carmelo Soap Opera

Another day, another trade deal speculated for Carmelo Anthony. Every few days it seems as if another team is putting a package together to try and grab Melo for the rest of the year (and hopefully years to come). Though anyone not named New York or Los Angeles should probably stop wasting their time since he won't end up signing an extension come next year. Carmelo is averaging 25 a game for his career and just a litle over 6 boards a game as well. He's arguably a top 5 player in the game right now, so this trade is gonna shake up the league and make any team that gets him considerably beter. Let's look at the two possible deals that are supposedly on the table right now.

1. Los Angeles Lakers- There technically isn't even an actual offer yet but the negations are ongoing as we speak. From what I've seen the deal is Carmelo for Andrew Bynum straight up. It's a strong possibility that the Nuggets would throw in some players with expiring contracts as well, maybe Kenyon Martin or Chris Andersen. For the Lakers I think this a good trade because life after Kobe is coming fast and Melo is a superstar and will be for another 8-10 years. Gasol can play Center and Odom comes into the starting lineup and you still have a great team on the court. On the Nuggets side of the deal I like it as well. Melo isn't gonna stay so they must trade him and get some young talent for him while they can. Bynum is supposed to have already been a superstar if not for some injuries. The Nuggets have a good center in NeNe, but adding Bynum would be a great addition.

2. New York Knicks- Carmelo wants to go to the Knicks over almost anyone, so they have a little leverage, but I think the Lakers have put a better package on the table. The Knicks deal is actually a three team deal involving the Timberwolves as well. As it stands right now the Knicks would receive Carmelo, the Nuggets would receive Wilson Chandler and Corey Brewer, as well as Minnesota's first round pick. The Timberwolves would end up receiving Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry. There's actually a couple of things about this deal that are holding it back. First, the Timberwolves want to receive more in this deal, which makes sense because I think they're getting completely screwed in this deal. Another think is that the Nuggets are concerned with the health of Wilson Chandler, and they could be looking to receive more as well.

Either deal is interesting and could really change things for the second half of the season. I'm just ready for a deal to happen and this Melo soap opera to be over with. Which trade do you like better? Any other interesting deals you think could be made? Heck, by the time this is posted there could be two more different trade scenarios everyone is talking about.