Awkward Nuggets

It is promising to be a very awkward season for the Denver Nuggets. Carmelo Anthony, by all accounts will not be a Nugget-lifer. He will either be traded before this season, during the season, or will sign elsewhere after the season. Melo has indicated that he is done in Denver, putting together a Chris Paul-like wish list of where he wants to be shipped - NY or Orlando.

If Melo goes to the Knicks, they become an instant 5 seed, and the Garden will be sold out all season. Melo in Orlando is battling for supremacy of Florida and the number one seed. Staying in Denver for the duration of the season would have the Nuggets battling for the second seed. He brings that much talent to wherever he lands.

The Nuggets best chance at a championship would be to convince Melo to play his hardest for this season, to try to bring Denver a championship. He can have his own summer of free agency similar to LeBron James', his own "Decision." Denver has a good enough team, with a cancer-free George Karl to make a legitimate run for a title. Trading Melo now, or mid season, would drop them significantly and thus mean rebuilding.

This summer of free agency brought together a dream team of 2 superstars and one of the best power forwards of the game in Lebron, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. The joining of these three caused a shift of power in the league from the team to the player. Chris Paul and Melo both are stuck in contracts, yet made demands for trades. They really have no leg to stand on by making these demands. Sure they could sit out, and lose money, or play halfheartedly, but really all they need is a little patience.

The star players will have to sit and watch the All-Star Heat win a ton of games. Melo can join the Knicks or Magic after the season, a season that could end with the Nuggets going very far into the postseason. Chris Paul can leave New Orleans in a few years if they are unable to build around him. They can do nothing now but play ball.

All of these players demanding trades puts the teams they play for in awkward situations. They obviously want to keep the great talent they have, but if the player wants out, what else can the team do, but oblige? Otherwise the team has an unhappy player, an unhappy fan base, and unhappy management, all trying to pretend that everything is OK. Denver will not be OK this season if nothing is resolved and Melo's issue is hanging over their heads. They either need to trade him now, or tell him to suck it up for a season.

Keep it from being awkward.