The following scenario seems hard to imagine, but it seems like it's coming true. A top level NBA player, already a star at 23 years old, the face of a franchise, and the voice of the basketball youth movement is possibly on the verge of being traded and the reaction is casual and collective indifference of opinion.

That player is Carmelo Anthony. A player who led Syracuse to an NCAA title in his one year on campus. A man who dominated the NCAA Tournament as if the stage was his own private showcase. A player who has taken the Nuggets to the NBA Playoffs every year since arriving in Denver. A player who signed a $79 million deal with the Nuggets to become the face of the franchise. The question now can be asked, Is Anthony about to become the face of a different franchise?

With a follow up story to the one printed last week, Al Iannazone adds more detail to rumblings that Anthony may be traded to the East, not back near his hometown of Baltimore, though instead, to New Jersey. The idea that this is even being discussed makes me wonder about two factors.

First, are the Nuggets ready to give up on Anthony at the age of 23 years old? They signed him to a $79 million contract to be their building block for years to come. Have they soured on him as quickly as the Nets seem to be infatuated with him? How much of this has to do with the way the Nuggets were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs, a series in which they got dismantled and barely showed signs of life and emotion. The series will always be remembered here for Carmelo's "We Quit" comment. Have the Nuggets quit trying to persuade themselves that they should wait it out and see if Anthony becomes the player on and off the court they hoped? His contemporaries from that 2003 NBA Draft, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have already passed him by. Are the Nuggets thinking about doing the same?

Also, how is this possible blockbuster not getting a lot of play in the press? You barely hear about it hear in town. Maybe trading the player who could turn out to be the best that ever wore the powder blue and white and barely a mention? Seems strange to me.

Possible reason for that scant amount of press coverage could be because it seems hard to imagine that the Nuggets would part ways with Anthony, who despite some off the court issues, remains one of the NBA's best and most popular players.

Here are some reasons that the trade has a little merit. Not reasons for advocating the move, just some thoughts on why it might be more than just talk at this point.

The Kiki And Carmelo Show
He drafted Anthony in Denver and presently is helping to run the basketball operation with Rod Thorn out in New Jersey. Have to think that common bond between the franchises may give this scenario more juice, since after all, who knows Anthony better than Kiki?

The Point Guard Glut
New Jersey has two point guards. The Nuggets have none and they need one. They have Chucky Atkins but Coach George Karl's reluctance to play Atkins down the stretch, to me, is somewhat telling. I know he was injured, but with Karl begging the team to make the extra pass, why wouldn't Karl play somebody who thinks pass first if he could? To me, Karl is not bullish on Atkins. The Nets can offer Marcus Williams to the Nuggets and keep Devin Harris.

Draft Delight For New Jersey
They have a 1.4 percent of grabbing the top overall selection, though they do have two first round picks. One of those is the 21st overall pick. If the other somehow becomes a high first round selection, that might be another part of a possible trade proposal to Denver. This year's NBA Draft looks to deep with talent and the chance to draft high enough to find a possible franchise player to maybe replace Carmelo should not be ignored either. Will that player turn out to be better than Carmelo? Who knows? Will be be cheaper? At least initially, yes.

A lot still needs to happen for this to even take the next step. The exact position of New Jersey's pick will be determined at the NBA Draft Lotery tonight, but just thinking about this series of events and possible scenarios, is equal parts fun and puzzling. Pretty sure the latter adjective sums up Anthony's view on all of this.

Enjoy your Tuesday.

-"z"