Carmelo Anthony: 'It's Time For A Change'

The excitement of the Nuggets' blowout opening-day win over Utah was quickly tempered on Wednesday night when Carmelo Anthony told Yahoo Sports he believed it was 'time for a change.'

Anthony's statement is the latest in a series of twists that began this summer when the Nuggets offered their star forward a 3-year, $65 million contract extension. Anthony, whose current contract expires at the end of next season, initially refused to sign the extension, leading to a flood of trade rumors. By late summer, league insiders were convinced that the Nuggets would trade their star forward before the team opened training camp.

However, the Nuggets' opted not to pull the trigger on a deal with the New Jersey Nets, paving the way for an awkward opening day of training camp in which Anthony deflected constant questions about his future with the team.

After a surprisingly smooth camp, many began wondering whether Anthony wouldn't remain a Nugget through the end of the year.

"They want to sit down and talk, but my thing is it's way beyond this year. It ain't got nothing to do with the new GM, Josh, the players. For me, I feel it's a time for change." Anthony told Yahoo.

Yahoo also reported that league sources expect the Nuggets to trade Anthony sooner, rather than later. ESPN reports that the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets remain Melo's most-likely destinations.