Carmelo Anthony Remains in a waiting game.
The Nuggets forward is in limbo as the Knicks and Nets look to make a deal. Reuters

The Denver Nuggets reportedly want plenty of first round draft picks in exchange for star forward Carmelo Anthony.

As the trade deadline gets closer, the asking price for Anthony has grown. Denver apparently has the Knicks and Nets in a bidding war.

The Nuggets are asking for Knicks' center Timofey Mozgov and forward Danilo Gallinari so they can ship the players to the Nets for more draft picks.

This can't be what the Knicks want, as they would have to face those two former players in their division. Also, they appreciate what both players offer the team. Should the Knicks part with Gallinari and Mozgov they may feel they would be missing the complimentary pieces to go along with Anthony and Amare Stoudemire.

By adding draft picks, Denver can rebuild with both the Nets and Knicks' picks.

Basically, the Nuggets would add about four first round picks to go along with Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, and Eddy Curry's expiring contract. The Nuggets are looking for salary cap space, while getting younger at the same time.

The Nets appear to be offering a better deal, but New Jersey isn't interested in making a trade for Anthony if he isn't going to sign. There is no indication that Anthony is keen on signing with New Jersey.

In the Nets-Nuggets trade, Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy, Ben Uzoh, and four first-round picks would be sent to Denver in exchange for Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Melvin Ely, and Renaldo Balkman.

The interesting component in the trade, aside from Anthony, is Billups. The Denver-native and veteran guard is basically being shipped for his contract, after only two full seasons with the Nuggets.

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