Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Carmelo Anthony acknowledged after Denver’s season-opening victory Wednesday that he still doesn’t intend to sign a contract extension and that it might be time for him and the Nuggets to go their separate ways.
Speaking to Yahoo! Sports after scoring 23 points in Denver’s 110-88 win over Utah, Anthony said he’s looking at his future — and the Nuggets don’t appear to be part of it.
Management wants “to sit down and talk, but my thing is it’s way beyond this year,” he told Yahoo! Sports. “It ain’t got nothing to do with the new GM [Masai Ujiri], Josh [Kroenke, team president], the players. For me, I feel it’s a time for change.
“If I do nothing now, I’m never going to do anything. I feel like my time is now to make a decision if I want to leave or if I want to stay.”
The Nuggets’ $65 million offer of an extension has been on the table for months. If Anthony plays out the season in Denver, he would headline the 2011 free-agent class. In the meantime, the Nuggets have until the February trade deadline to deal him.
The New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets are the major players in a trade for Anthony, ESPN.com’s Chris Broussard reports. A source told ESPN.com’s Chris Sheridan that the Chicago Bulls remain in the mix to acquire him.
Appearing on ESPN Radio on Tuesday, Anthony reminded everyone that he has always wanted to keep his options open.
“But as far as the money that’s on the table, I understand the money that’s on the table. I understand it’s a lot,” he said on “The Scott Van Pelt Show.” “But it’s more than the money. Right now I’m here, I’m with the Nuggets.”