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That is where another team equipped with attractive assets could enter the picture, multiple sources said: the Philadelphia 76ers. New team president Rod Thorn and GM Ed Stefanski - who formerly worked together in New Jersey -- could be central to constructing a deal that would compel the Nuggets to move Anthony rather than endure a season-long distraction that ends with Anthony leaving as a free agent after the season. The key pieces of the Philadelphia equation would be the expiring contracts of Jason Kapono ($6.64 million) and Willie Green ($3.98 million), a young talent such as Thaddeus Young, and Andre Iguodala, who is coming off a solid contribution to Team USA's gold-medal performance at the FIBA World Championships. Some executives believe the Sixers would at least discuss including No. 2 overall pick Evan Turner if it meant getting Anthony, but that would defeat the purpose of going over the luxury tax to get Anthony in the first place.
Intriguing sure, but I'd pass on Kapono, Green, Young and Iguodala for Anthony. And I sure as heck wouldn't part with Evan Turner and Andre Iguodala to obtain Carmelo.
Thorn drafted Favors, so that is one piece that is expected to be integral to the discussion once the Nuggets officially begin seeking trade packages for Anthony. The drop-off in talent from Anthony to Iguodala is considerable, but so is the savings; Iguodala is due $44 million over the next three seasons, compared to the $65 million Anthony would command. Two people familiar with Denver's strategy confirmed the Nuggets would be intrigued by a deal centered around Iguodala. The Nets could sweeten any such offer with Golden State's 2012 first-round pick and two extra second-round picks they own in the same draft.
A package sending Anthony to the Nets, Favors to Philadelphia and Iguodala to Denver is one way all of these moving parts could come together. But Thorn is said to have reservations about such a deal, which has yet to rise to the level of discussion among the teams.
On the other hand, Favors for Iguodala is a package I'd strongly consider.
These opinions are completely knee-jerk and subject to change, but that's where I currently stand. 'No' on Iguodala and scraps for Melo, 'heck no' on Iguodala and Turner for Melo, and leaning toward 'yes' on Iguodala for Favors. Weigh in below. I'm sure this will be a hot topic over the next few days. Remember, Thorn already has a few blockbuster trades under his belt.