The NBA's Ripple Effect

Why a Carmelo Anthony trade could be bad for the Thunder.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:09 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Jan 14, 2011 5:31 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY – Everything that happens in the NBA has a ripple effect, however small it might be.

Denver Nuggets superstar Carmelo Anthony has been the subject of continual trade talk for months now.

Twice, the Nuggets have been on the verge of multiple-team deals involving the New Jersey Nets to send Anthony to New Jersey.

Recently, the New York Knicks have jumped back into the Carmelo sweepstakes with resurfacing trade offers, this time attempting to get the Memphis Grizzlies involved.

Because Anthony is a superstar and one of the league’s best scorers, it’s understandable that the Thunder would want him out of their division and would therefore have to play him less. But that’s where it gets complicated.

Anthony’s current contract is up at the end of the year and he has expressed his displeasure with playing in Denver.

At the end of the season, he would be a free agent and could sign wherever he wanted, which would more than likely be with the Knicks.

Denver would then start a long rebuilding process attempting to clear out expensive backups and start from scratch.

If the Nuggets traded Anthony, it would get him out of Denver quicker but would also expedite the Nuggets’ rebuilding process greatly.

New Jersey has offered a package along the lines of talented rookie Derrick Favors, point guard Devin Harris and two draft picks in exchange for Anthony – a near dream package considering Anthony will likely be gone for nothing at the end of the season anyway.

But for whatever reason, the Nuggets have not been able to pull the trigger on a deal.

So why is Denver turning into a bad team good for the Thunder?

First, Oklahoma City plays each of its Northwest Division opponents – including Denver – four times each year. The Thunder play Eastern Conference opponents such as the Nets and Knicks twice per year.

Divisional standings also factor into playoff seedings. A team winning its division is guaranteed home court advantage in the playoffs, and division records can help break ties for lower seeding as well.

Denver losing Anthony for nothing in return would likely put the Nuggets out of division contention for at least several years – one less team for OKC to worry about.

They might seem like small steps, but they are significant ones nonetheless.

Anthony getting traded in a blockbuster deal might be more exciting to witness than a less dramatic free agent signing, but the latter option would mean delayed gratification for Oklahoma City and its fans.