Anthony Morrow was the only Net named Anthony in the gym for today’s Media Day, but that could change by Monday.
The Nets are moving closer to acquiring Carmelo Anthony from the Nuggets in a complicated four-team trade that is totally contingent upon the superstar small forward signing an extension with New Jersey.
That makes the trade even more complex, because if Anthony says no, the Nets won’t make the move for him. They can’t mortgage their future without any guarantees from Anthony.
But it certainly made for an interesting Media Day. The Nets were happy to put last season's 12-win embarrassment and start anew, but they could look very different in a couple of days and some of what they said could be moot.
Rookie power forward Derrick Favors tried to dismiss trade rumors, Devin Harris talked about how excited he was to be playing for Avery Johnson and potentially a playoff team, and Johnson basically said the Nets aren’t close to doing anything.
Johnson, of course, had to say that, as did Harris and Favors. But the two Nets may not be around when next week rolls around.
There are still many things that need to get done before the trade goes through, but in the proposed deal, the Nets would send Favors and the 2012 first-round pick they acquired from Golden State in the Marcus Williams trade to the Nuggets, Harris and Jarvis Hayes to the Charlotte Bobcats and Quinton Ross to the Utah Jazz.
In return, the Nets would get Anthony from Denver and young point guard D.J. Augustin from Charlotte.
The Nuggets also would receive Andrei Kirilenko from Utah and at least one additional pick, and the Jazz would get Boris Diaw from Charlotte.
From the Nets’ perspective, it’s a tough deal to make yet tough to pass on. Anthony is arguably one of the five best players in the league, a definite go-to guy and scoring machine. But you’re giving up two of your top players, two core players. But you’re definitely better because of Anthony.
Again, that is if Anthony puts his signature on a contract extension. Otherwise, oops, sorry Devin and Derrick, you have to play with the Nets the entire season and you will be welcomed back with open arms and return to being all the wonderful things coaches and executives have said about you throughout the last week or so.
But you have to believe the Nets would not be working this hard, putting all their energies and offering up two of their best young players, if they didn’t believe Anthony would sign an extension.
There is good reason to question whether he’s going to want to play for the Nets minus Harris and Favors.
Harris has his flaws, but he is one of the better point guards in the league when he’s healthy. He can break defenses down and create shots for himself and his teammates. Anthony probably would want to play with him.
Ideally, the Nets would have a team that featured Harris, Brook Lopez and Anthony. It’s doubtful Anthony wouldn’t sign with the Nets if that was the case, but it may not be possible for something to get done.
And something is expected to get done before the Nuggets have their Media Day on Monday and open camp on Tuesday. They don’t want the Anthony distraction to start this camp, so there is a time element here.
Anthony’s first choice all along has been to play for the Knicks, but they don’t have the players or draft picks that Denver wants. The Knicks had been trying to acquire a first-round pick to give Denver but have been unsuccessful.
The Nets have the assets and have been relentless in their pursuit of Anthony, knowing the importance of putting a star next to Lopez and having one in place for when the Barclays Center opens in two years.
But Anthony also could help the Nets attract other stars, and Chris Paul will be out there as a free agent in 2012 or even before then Paul starts making noise –- again –- that he wants out of New Orleans.
The Nets will hold their first practice today and Anthony Morrow probably will be in the only Anthony in the gym. That could change very soon, though.
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Al Iannazzone covers the Nets for The Record (Bergen County, N.J.)