Reports from around the NBA are indicating that the Denver Nuggets, New Jersey Nets and Detroit Pistons are involved in conversations about a deal that would send Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey.
ESPN's Marc Stein cited unnamed sources in reporting on Saturday morning that the deal hinges on Detroit's willingness to surrender a first round pick and take on certain assets from New Jersey.
Sources with knowledge of the talks confirmed the Nets and Nuggets have discussed a three-way trade proposal that would land Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups and Pistons guard Rip Hamilton alongside Anthony in New Jersey.
But a source close to the situation subsequently told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard that the three-way deal in its proposed form -- which would require the Pistons to take Nets center Johan Petro and surrender a first-round pick in addition to absorbing the expiring contract of Troy Murphy to the Pistons -- is not amenable to Detroit.
While details of the proposed trade remain unclear, the New York Post reported on Saturday the Nuggets would get rookie forward Derrick Favors and guard Devin Harris from New Jersey, in addition to draft picks.
The newspaper also says the deal could involve as many as 17 players, plus draft picks.
Addressing the rumors in a statement to the Associated Press, Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups--a Denver native--said he was not thinking about them.
"My grandma taught me that a long, long time ago," Billups said. "I can't control it, I control this (basketball) the best I can. I kind of worry about that. It (speculation) really has no bearing on what I do out here."
Anthony has been the subject of trade rumors since this summer, when he declined to sign the three-year, $65 million contract extension the Nuggets offered. New Jersey has been considered a likely trading partner for months.