This past offseason was one of the most exciting in NBA history, with superstars swapping teams and drastically changing the league's landscape for the next decade. The dust has yet to settle and, though it's a far cry away, next summer will see another outstanding crop of players becoming free agents.
The source of most of the league's trade rumors has been the Denver Nuggets, who are desperately trying to sway Carmelo Anthony's intention to leave the Mile High City for greener pastures. Recently, Anthony revealed that "it's time for a change," referring to the Nuggets as he rejected the three−year, $65 million extension that has been on the table since the summer. Anthony maintains that he is giving his all to his current organization. Some critics assume that Anthony is doing this to save face and avoid being viewed as a whiner.
The Nuggets' current roster will be one of their strongest in recent memory, with forwards Kenyon Martin and Chris Andersen recovering from injuries. This heightens the pressure on the decision of whether or not to trade Anthony, as he could very well lead the team to the Western Conference Finals if he stays. Despite league−wide and national speculation about his future, only 'Melo truly knows where his plans will lead him. In fact, only one thing is completely assured regarding Anthony's decision: It won't be broadcast during a one−hour special.
In other NBA news, Allen Iverson has found himself heading overseas to Turkey with a $4 million, two−year contract with Club Besiktas. Iverson, 35, had hoped to be signed by an NBA team this offseason but was left out in the cold as his production has steadily dipped since being traded from the Nuggets to the Detroit Pistons in the 2008−09 season. Most recently, he had a tumultuous, three−game stint in Memphis with the Grizzlies before bouncing to the Sixers for a shortened season.
Disappointed that he didn't receive any NBA offers, Iverson opted to play for the Turkish club, saying, "I wanted to show everybody I can play at a high level, not just the NBA." Besiktas has not won the Turkish basketball league title since 1975, so Iverson's explosive, albeit age−diminished, playing style instantly adds an incredibly strong player to the Turkish club.
Speaking of Europe, commissioner David Stern has declared that he hopes to see the league add a European Division of the NBA within the next decade. As basketball has exploded overseas in recent decades, Stern hopes to capitalize on not only the market, but the talent offered by such an expansion.
Players currently go overseas to either start or end their careers, with two of the most notable examples being Brandon Jennings, who skipped a year of college to play a season for Lottomatica Roma before he was allowed to enter the 2009 NBA draft, and Stephon Marbury, who, like Iverson, was out of NBA options, signed with the Chinese club Shanxi.
Stern has already scheduled two regular season games in London during March between the Nets and Raptors. Of course, many NBA players oppose Stern's attempts at globalization due to the extensive travel that would ensue.
As the end of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement looms, Stern needs to focus his attention on making sure that the league will even resume play next season, or else NBA stars like 'Melo could follow Iverson to international leagues.
