Melo to Nets deal dead

[rise]

The trade is dead because Carmelo didn't want to sign the extension, not because the Nuggets didn't want AK47. AK47 is also a pretty big expiring contract, and giving up Al Jefferson would be one of the worst moves for the Jazz.

It would have made the trade much more feasible for the Nuggets. Doing the math, AK47's contract is about $5M more than Al Jefferson. This would keep Denver out of luxury tax. As for giving Al Jefferson from Utah's standpoint, I think it's better than giving up AK47. AK47 is an awesome all-around player and a beastly defender. The worst moves for the Jazz, would have to be trading Deron Williams, not Al Jefferson. The team would be just as good with Boris Diaw at PF, maybe slightly less. I have no question this team would make it to playoffs again.

EDIT: Never mind, taking on Jefferson would be stupid for Denver as Jefferson, Harrington, and Martin would all be splitting minutes at PF. Stupid unless Jefferson plays C.

[shadowgrin]

The trade died because Denver got greedy in dumping contracts.

From the same link in Andrew's post.

The four-team trade fell apart when Denver kept trying to include more of its players in deals to spare themselves a bigger luxury-tax bill that would’ve come with the arrivals of Kirilenko and Favors, sources said. The proposed trade would have added $4.5 million in salary to their payroll plus another $4.5 million in luxury tax.

[Doobie]

I've read on several reports that Melo didn't want to sign an extension, which is another part of the reason.

Sure the trade would've been better for the Nuggets but why in the world would the Jazz give up Al Jefferson? AK47 isn't the player he used to be, and Al Jefferson is an elite big that you don't come accross every day. He can play both PF and C and is an incredibly low post threat.

[Andrew]

The report I linked to doesn't mention him not wanting to sign an extension with the Nets (it does mention his reluctance to do so with the Sixers though), but it seems a safe bet that it was a concern that also contributed to the deal falling apart given previous reports.