Felton to be a part of Melo deal?

Via Nick Borges of ESPN...


According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, there are rumors that Denver wants Raymond Felton to be part of the package the Nuggets would get for Carmelo Anthony from the Knicks. The Nuggets, as a way to reduce their payroll and luxury tax obligation, would also ship Chauncey Billups to New York.

Billups can be bought out for $3.7 million shortly after his team's season is completed, which will save a lot of money. He will earn $14.2 million for 2011-12 if his team doesn't release him by that timeframe.

Berman spoke with Andy Miller, Billups' agent, on Thursday and Miller wasn't sure if his client would be OK coming to New York because they have not discussed the possibility.



Acquiring Felton would help the Nuggets save money while giving them a two headed monster at PG with Ty Lawson. I would assume the money saved would be used to sign Nene to a long term deal. Like Melo, Nene has an ETO in his contract or he can pick up his option for next year at about $11.6 million and the Nugges have staed they intend to keep him. As for the Knicks, replacing Felton with Big Shot Billups wouldn't hurt and a Big 3 of Amar'e, Melo and Billups would be dynamite. Plus, if the Knicks pick up his option for next year, his salary will come off the books in time for the team to make a run at Chris Paul in the summer of 2012. Intriguing...