National Basketball Association

Report: Mavs entering race for 'Melo

Published Dec. 21, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Dallas Mavericks are set to join the race for three-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony's signature, CBS Sports reported Tuesday, citing NBA sources.

According to the report, Dallas owner Mark Cuban was "plotting an aggressive push" to acquire the Denver Nuggets star, but the Mavs' interest was yet to take the form of a concrete offer.

According to the New York Post, however, the New Jersey Nets were growing in confidence in their ability to sign the 26-year-old small forward "by the day."

But in order to pull off the deal the Nets must a find way to bring in more talent than just Anthony, Yahoo.com reported. That is the only way Anthony would consider signing an extension that would keep him with the 8-20 Nets, who sit in last place of the Atlantic Division. That could include bringing in his current teammate and former Knicks forward Al Harrington.

“’Melo wants something similar to the Orlando deal, where he won’t have to go into New Jersey -- or anywhere he’s going -- without some help right away,” a Western Conference executive told Yahoo.com.

It means the Nets' best chance to acquire Anthony could be in a multi-team deal -- like the one they almost completed before the season that also included the Jazz and Bobcats.

The Nuggets were tentative then to pull the trigger, but there is more urgency now as it is evident Anthony has no plans on staying in Denver.

League sources insist the Nets are exploring every conceivable avenue to put together a deal for Anthony, including finding other teams to get involved, The Post reported. The Nets never would make a deal for him without knowing he is locked up.

The Nets repeatedly have shown their overwhelmingly desperate need for a closer of Anthony's stature.

The deal would start with at least two, probably three first-round picks and rookie Derrick Favors.

The New York Knicks remain Anthony’s preferred destination, but they have yet to present an acceptable package to the Nuggets.

If the Nets and Nuggets can agree on a deal, New Jersey owner Mikhail Prokhorov will personally pitch Anthony on his plan for the team, according to the Post.