Carmelo Anthony is a Denver Nugget and Caron Butler is a Dallas Maverick. The Nuggets are under pressure because of Anthony, while the Mavericks are under pressure because of injuries (Butler, Dirk) and age.
Carmelo wants out of Denver and the Nuggets have to trade him before February 24 if they want to get some compensation for him. While Butler is out for the season, the Mavs have lost 6 of their last 7 games (despite last nights’ win against the Lakers). They’re quickly losing pace with the rest of the NBA, partly due to aging players (i.e. Dirk, Kidd, Chandler, and pretty much everyone else on this team).
Four entities, four problems… one simple solution (except the whole injury thing… only surgery can correct that).
Trade Carmelo to Dallas. A deal would have to involve a third-team (salary cap stuff that I wouldn’t even dare explain), and a lot of guts from Mavs management. Giving up Butler plus another quality player (not to mention cash and draft picks) wouldn’t be a stupid move, even if Anthony left after this season.
He is a superstar, and an instant difference-maker. It would still be worth it, even if they lost every single remaining game with Carmelo. Being conservative and tentative doesn’t win championships. Taking risks does (risks also sets you up to fall on your face, but that’s not important right now).
