Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony has had trade rumors following him since early this summer and they are heating up as we approach the middle of December. Will the Magic get involved? Will the Knicks blow up their roster despite their winning streak? How about the Heat trading Chris Bosh for Anthony? From now until he re-signs or a trade occurs I will examine all the latest news and gossip revolving around his potential departure from Denver and the probability of him re-signing with the club. Starting this evening I will deliver a few news items from around the web centered on the Nuggets leading scorer and franchise star each week.

Keep in mind that nothing has happened yet, folks. These are just columns related to Anthony’s situation that I happened to find enlightening.

I have included excerpts from each column - to view the entire piece just click on the highlighted link in each respective headline.

CBS Sports reports that the lockout might have an interesting effect on Carmelo’s relocation plans:

So with that in mind, why the change in heart? Melo maintains that this has been his approach the whole way through, but multiple reports have indicated he was most likely done in Denver. So what has pushed him back towards the shade of the Rockies?

  • There are multiple options. The struggles of the Miami Heat have to be considered, even as the Heat start to get together. The fact that a deal with New York, his preferred destination, is unlikely even if they manage to get a first rounder in return for Anthony Randolph probably has to dishearten him from the idea of moving. The fact that the New Jersey Nets are locked into Newark, NJ for two years instead of Brooklyn, and that they look so far away from contending has to factor in, as they are the most likely destination for a trade at this point. But the biggest reason is probably relatively simple. *

  • Money. *

  • Since this whole bizarre non-standoff-standoff started, the CBA talks have only headed faster towards a lockout brick wall. The owners won’t even respond to the Union’s latest proposal. A lockout is 99% probably according to Union head Billy Hunter. And considering the drastic changes being presented by the owners’ contingent, big changes could be in place before Melo could sign a new deal. With that in mind, Anthony could be thinking he simply needs to go ahead and commit to the deal to get in place.*

Is trading Anthony Randolph the key to New York acquiring Anthony? Via the New York Daily News:

*Anthony Randolph’s value to the Knicks can’t be measured in points and rebounds. Instead, he could be the guy who gets them Carmelo Anthony. *

The Knicks have fielded calls from several Western Conference clubs regarding a deal for Randolph, according to a team source. The most compelling conversations have been with the Houston Rockets, who in one scenario would trade the Knicks the first-round pick they obtained in last year’s Tracy McGrady deal.

Knicks president Donnie Walsh has admitted publicly that he regrets trading that pick and has been trying for two months to acquire a 2011 first-rounder. The pick is critical if the Knicks want to acquire Anthony, who is likely to be traded by the February deadline.

The folks at FanHouse are reporting that the Nuggets are still somewhat hopeful Anthony will re-sign:

*Some of Denver’s positive thinking is also tied to the progress Ujiri is believed to have made with Anthony and his wife, LaLa, away from the floor. According to the source, Ujiri has spent the sort of off-court time with Anthony and LaLa that he wasn’t able to during the summer when Anthony kept the organization at an arm’s distance. While only Anthony truly knows whether the many moves and maneuverings will impact his decision, the Nuggets believe the calming of these waters coupled with the omnipresent allure of securing his finances now rather than later after an almost-certain lockout could inspire him to stay on board this once-sinking ship. *

  • There may be more stabilizing forces on the way as well, as Denver and coach George Karl are discussing a long-term contract extension and both sides seem determined to get a deal done soon. Locking up Karl, one would think, would help Anthony with his vision for the future should he decide to stay. Karl, like any coach, can’t score the ball or defend on his own, though, so helping Anthony see a future on the personnel front remains key as well.*

  • Yet while the 2011-12 roster in its current state appears thin at first glance, there is also the potential for the team’s core to remain — albeit at a high price tag — should he stick around. Al Harrington, Chris Andersen, Renaldo Balkman and Ty Lawson are the only Nuggets guaranteed to be on board unless they are traded, but the necessary contractual flexibility exists to keep the core should Anthony remain.*

Would the Heat consider trading Chris Bosh for Anthony? From SI FanNation:* *

Needless to say, it would suffice as a blockbuster. As we close in on Dec. 15, when numerous free agents signed over the summer become trade-eligible, rival executives have privately started wondering if the Heat would consider parting with one of their Big Three if it meant fielding a more complete team. The face-saving option to trade and the most easily obtainable, executives say, would be Chris Bosh. In fact, one executive speaking on condition of anonymity wondered how it would alter Denver’s reluctance to trade Carmelo Anthony if the Heat offered a package centered around Bosh. The Nuggets, according to the executive, might prefer an established star in the low post as opposed to Derrick Favors, an unproven rookie.

The Charlotte Bobcats have even joined the party! Via HoopsWorld.com:

The interesting team to surface today is the Charlotte Bobcats, previously unmentioned in rumors surrounding Anthony. Actually, they were mentioned, but always a third-party facilitator, never as the team actually receiving Anthony. There are no solid details about what the Bobcats might give up, and ESPN is running little more than a blurb in their news stream about the rumored trade, but given what the Bobcats have been willing to offer up in the past it’s logical to think they would part with Gerald Wallace and Boris Diaw, two pieces that would help the Nuggets.

  • The real question facing Charlotte and team president Michael Jordan, however, is how much they want to pay for a player who is extremely unlikely to sign on with the team long-term. People close to Carmelo tell us he really would like to stay in Denver, but he isn’t sold on the franchise going forward given the uncertain status of their roster next summer. If he is going to leave, he’d rather go to New York, which is really home for him and his wife.*

Finally, the folks at CBS Sports report that Denver is ready to move on if need be but are worried Anthony won’t sign an extension in a potential deal with the Nets: *The Nuggets’ strong start, coupled with George Karl’s inspirational return from cancer treatment and positive discussions about a contract extension for the soon-to-be-1,000-win coach, have the organization feeling they’ve done everything possible to persuade Anthony to stay. But according to people with knowledge of the team’s strategy, if Anthony doesn’t agree to sign the three-year, $65 million extension by the Feb. 24 trade deadline, the wheels are all but certain to be put in motion to part ways with the three-time All-Star rather than lose him as a free agent and get nothing in return. *

  • **The Nets’ package of 2010 No. 3 pick Derrick Favors, guard Devin Harris, the expiring contract of Kris Humphries and two first-round picks remains the most attractive option to the Nuggets, sources say. Additional trade partners such as Charlotte and Utah are not eager to get involved in the discussions again, but wouldn’t necessarily be needed this time. *

  • The wild card remains Anthony’s desire to sign an extension with the Nets, who obviously would not be willing to offer the same package without such a guarantee. While rival executives continue to doubt that Anthony would be willing to spend the next season-and-a-half in Newark, N.J., sources who have been in close contact with the power brokers in Anthony’s camp — William Wesley and Leon Rose — say the Nets remain an option for Anthony.* Until tomorrow…