A source with knowledge of the dealings expects that Carmelo Anthony will eventually sign the three-year, $64.47 million extension the Nuggets star forward has on the table.The source sees no way Anthony would risk leaving that much money on the table. If Anthony opts out of the $18.52 million he is due for the 2011-12 season, he would have to negotiate a new contract as a free agent next summer under a new collective bargaining agreement.
"There's no way he's walking away from that type of money,'' the source said Monday, believing maximum contracts could be curtained sharply under the new CBA.
While this is all speculation, if Anthony were to opt out of his contract and not sign the extension and maximum contracts are capped at $12 million, that would be a loss of $35 million over four seasons. If maximum deals are capped at $14 million, it would be a loss of $27 million during that period.
However, if a new CBA allowed 2011 free agents to still sign for 105 percent of their previous year's salary while lowering maximums immediately for everybody else, Anthony could be protected. However, the source believes the risk might be too great for Anthony to not act on the extension offer.
With the existing CBA due to expire June 30, 2011, the source believes the ball is in Denver's court. With that in mind, the source brought up the possibility of the Nuggets establishing some sort of deadline this offseason for Anthony to accept or reject his contract extension offer. League rules allow Anthony to sign such an extension until June 30, 2011, the same date he must decide whether to opt out of his 2011-12 contract.
Anthony could not be reached Monday. He told FanHouse last month he is willing to be patient regarding signing an extension to see what offseason moves the Nuggets make.
Anthony could sign as soon as Thursday. But his mind is elsewhere this week considering he's getting married Saturday to MTV personality La La Vazquez.
If Anthony signs his contract extension, his 2011-12 year would no longer be a contract option. And he would make $19.45 million in 2012-13, $21.49 million in 2013-14 and $23.53 million in 2014-15.
Also Monday, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said Anthony won't be part of Team USA this summer at the World Championships, but remains in good standing for a spot on the 2012 Olympic team. Anthony had told FanHouse in April he might not play for Team USA this summer due to his marriage.
Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.com or on Twitter@christomasson
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