All the talk in the media suggests that Carmelo Anthony will not be signing an extension with the Denver Nuggets this summer, and will likely be traded before the start of this season.
The Nuggets surely don’t want to be left with nothing if or when Anthony would sign elsewhere a year from now, so a trade seems like the only logical move for the organization. 
But the Nuggets executives–and fans– have to be asking themselves, what have we done to deserve this?
The Nuggets stood tall beside Anthony through the Baltimore “Stop Snitchin” video tape mess, a DUI, a 2004 marijuana possession charge– that was dropped, and the infamous punch during a brawl at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks, another team currently pursuing Melo.
The Nuggets faithful sat by for four years while Melo developed and matured into a high-caliber NBA star. They sat through his playoff woes and controversies because, let’s face it, he has perhaps been one of the greatest basketball players to play for Denver.
Melo says he loves the city of Denver, and that the decision is entirely about business and what is best for his family.
He has to be looking at the situation in Miami, where three of his best friends from Team U.S.A. now play for the Heat. Like many NBA fans, he likely sees a situation where he is not on a team that will have the ability to win a championship while that three headed monster and the Los Angeles Lakers rule the league.
He is likely looking for a scenario where he could form his own miniature dream team with either Chris Paul or Dwight Howard.
Reports have him interested in signing with the Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, New Orleans Hornets and New Jersey Nets.
Being from the east coast, one would think Melo would be looking to get closer to home, and will be looking to entice a guy like CP3 to leave the Hornets for an even bigger east coast market.
But why would Melo actually want to leave Denver. Denver is just a few players away from being a championship contender, regardless of the team in Miami, and, like I already said, the state and team have shown him more love than he could ever likely find elsewhere.
He is already making millions in his outside business ventures, including an Indy Racing team, hair salons, a record label and a massive Air Jordan endorsement. Melo’s decision to leave Denver won’t be about the money, it will be about playing for another team he sees as having a better chance to deliver him a title, just like LeBron’s decision was.
But the Nuggets have already done more to help Melo get that goal accomplished than the Cavaliers ever did for LeBron. Still it hasn’t gotten the job done, but what other team and owner will be willing to do more to continually try to get their team over the hump than the Nuggets and Stan Kroenke.
While his immediate family should no doubt take priority, Melo should not forget the millions of Nuggets fans that have treated him like family for the past seven years. We all know if Melo leaves, the Nuggets will once again be irrelevant. Melo saved the team after a 17 win season, and can keep the team breathing if he is still calling the Pepsi Center his home court in 2011-12.