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Denver Nuggets fans have faced the possibility of Carmelo Anthony leaving town for the bright lights of a bigger city for most of the summer, and yesterday’s team media day was supposed to help clarify the situation. It didn’t. Despite multiple reports over the last few months that Melo is demanding a trade, he reiterated that he’s happy to be a Nugget.
“I never once said anything about trade talks,” Melo told a room packed full of reporters (via The Denver Post). “There’s been a lot of speculation this summer about where I’m going to end up….I’m here to focus on basketball.”
When all the anonymous sources and veiled speculation are peeled away, Melo’s right: He’s never publicly demanded a trade. But he hasn’t shut the door on leaving either.
“I’m leaving my options open,” he added. “At the end of the season, I’ll sit down with my team, I’ll sit down with the Nuggets, and we’ll talk about it.”
The Post also confirms a report that Melo is the only Nugget who hasn’t shot promotional spots for television broadcasts and game-night scoreboard features.
While most of the players, as well as head coach George Karl, responded yesterday with positive and hopeful comments, outspoken defensive leader Kenyon Martin didn’t hold back: “It’s a mess, from top to bottom. Once that ball goes up, I hope it all changes,” he said (via The New York Times).