National Basketball Association

Report: Nets, 'Melo to meet about trade

Published Jan. 19, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Denver Nuggets have granted permission to New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov to meet with superstar forward Carmelo Anthony, the New York Post reported Wednesday.

Prokhorov is scheduled to arrive in Utah later Wednesday for the Nets-Jazz game, but, according to several league sources, will then head to a meeting with Anthony.

The same sources insist there has been no previous meeting and there is no exact timeframe for the Russian billionaire's sit-down with the star, whose status has been the most dragged-out, ongoing story.

Prokhorov presumably will be joined by Jay-Z, who owns a minority stake in the Nets.

However, a hitch still remains in the proposed deal as the Nuggets steadfastly keep to their desire for an additional first-round draft pick, sources said.

The Nets originally offered two and the two sides have been going back and forth on the third and which pick would be included.

In the proposed three-way trade, Anthony would join the Nets along with guard Chauncey Billups and Pistons guard Richard Hamilton. The Nets would send draft picks, guard Devin Harris, rookie forward Derrick Favors and others to Denver, while sending big men Troy Murphy and Johan Petro to Detroit.

But Anthony, who has refused to sign a three-year, $65 million extension with Denver, must first commit to signing a long-term contract with the Nets before the deal is finalized.