Report: Nuggets Open to Carmelo Anthony Trade, Nets in Hot Pursuit

Denver Nuggets management is coming to terms with the likely reality that Carmelo Anthony's long-term future is not in the Mile-High City, and they don't want to get hung out to dry like the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Accordingly, the team has softened its stance on trading Anthony, and is now apparently willing to listen to offers, ESPN.com reports.

The price tag for Carmelo won't be cheap, though. They will likely ask for multiple first-round picks and a top-flight young player in return.

Potential suitors, though, will likely only be willing to acquire Anthony if he agrees to a contract extension, since he will be a free agent in 2011.

The New Jersey Nets are making the most aggressive push for the superstar forward, though many teams including the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers have also been linked to Anthony.

One NBA GM said "I'm not sure how soon, but I do think they're going to trade him [between now and February]," and another source said that Carmelo "might never wear a Nuggets uniform again."

The Nuggets have not withdrawn their three-year, $65 million extension offer.