Hold your breath New York natives.  The latest superstar engulfed in trade rumors could finally your way.

The New Jersey Nets have submitted a trade proposal to the Denver Nuggets in an attempt to pry away All-Star small forward Carmelo Anthony. 

After a season that saw them post a league worst 12-70 record, the New Jersey Nets have been in the center of off-season rumors.  The Nets feverishly made pitches for all of the league’s top free agents this summer, hoping to land at least one one the big names to complement a capable point guard (Devin Harris), an up-and-coming center (Brook Lopez) and a youngster with one of the highest ceilings in this year’s NBA Draft (Derrick Favors).  The roster is also littered with young, unproven players who are hungry, but loaded with quickness and athleticism.

But just how much is Anthony worth?

Reports on the story have surfaced rather abruptly without a ton of detail, but the Nets are rumored to be parting with Favors, Harris and a 2012 first-round pick.

The deal is currently awaiting approval from Denver.  But if it is approved – based on these preliminary reports (and they are definitely preliminary) – the Nets would presumably place the following starting lineup on the floor to open the season:

PG – Jordan Farmar

SG – Terrence Williams

SF – Carmelo Anthony

PF – Troy Murphy

C – Brook Lopez

While having Harris and Favors in the lineup wouldn’t have elevated them to a playoff-potential team, the long term prospects are certainly a lot greater. 

If the Nets want to acquire 'Melo, they may have to part ways with point guard Devin Harris.

The Nets not having to ship Murphy’s expiring contract has been described as a silver lining in the agreement, and a possible way that New Jersey could bring another superstar to town – namely New Orleans point guard Chris Paul.

If things do work out that way, we’d be looking at another creation of potential superpowers.  But the truth is that 82 games would have to be played, and that would be a long season indeed for Anthony.  With the projected lineup assembled above, there would surely be lots of frustration for ‘Melo.  How would he react to not sniffing the playoffs for the first time in his NBA career?  It’s been quite a while since Anthony has been on a mediocre squad.  Denver has consistently made the postseason.  Anthony led the Syracuse Orangemen to an NCAA championship.  His high school team at Oak Hill Academy was (and still is) one of the national hoops powerhouses.

And if things don’t pan out for the Nets – and they aren’t able to get any other big names in the next year – will ‘Melo be wondering what could have been in Denver?  The Nuggets may need to toughen up defensively, but two seasons ago – with practically the same roster that they have now – they were challenging the NBA champion Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.  An acquisition and some other tweaks, and Denver could have been that close to making their presence felt near the top of the conference again.

Over the next few days, we hould know whether New York will get what they have craved for so long. 

Something that renders them as relevant in the world of basketball.

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