Carmelo is the bond between the great offensive play of AI and the rest of the team. Camby etc can only put up good defensive numbers with Anthony on the team to put up a double-double alongside them. Imagine if he wasn't there, Camby would get overwhelmed and the Nuggets would be even worse defensively than they currently are (if that is possible). The Nuggets need to learn defense, not trade away their best player. His value is probably at its lowest it has been since he got drafted because his numbers have fallen slightly due to AI's presence (not a criticism, it's just bound to happen with two dominant scorers)
And who would they trade for?? The suggestion seems to be that if the Nets got the #3 pick then the Nuggets would be willing to trade for that (plus other stuff but with that pick being the main component) - who would they get?? Brook Lopez?? He may end up being a 20 - 10 guy some day but why trade somebody who is young and already putting up those numbers??
I believe that if the Nuggets got a solid defensive gameplan (not shutdown like the Celtics or Pistons but one that won't give up 120pts regularly - something like the Lakers), then they have the talent to compete with the Hornets, Lakers and Spurs. trading away the vital cog in their machine and the player who has got them this far won't aid that cause.
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