Carmelo "leaving my options open"

GREENBURGH, N.Y. - Carmelo Anthony took a page from the LeBron James 2009 script on Monday, when the three-time all-star found himself still wearing a Denver Nuggets uniform on media day.

"I'm here today, whatever the future holds, it holds," he told a gathering of Denver media. "I'm leaving my options open. At the end of the season, I'll sit down with my team, I'll sit down with the Denver Nuggets, and we'll talk about it."

The Nuggets are still in active discussions with the Nets about a proposed four-player deal, but that scenario may either fade or be put on the back-burner at this point. The Nets are pushing hard to make it work, according to multiple NBA sources, but the Nuggets remain hesitant to pull the trigger and are still hoping Anthony might change his mind and sign a three-year, $65 million contract extension that has been on the table since the spring.

New general manager Masai Uriji said he spoke with Anthony about the situation and said, "we're going to keep talking. Melo is a Nugget now and we're excited about that."

Throughout the summer, Anthony's camp gave strong indications that he would only accept the extension if it came with a trade that sent him to a choice destination, such as the Chicago Bulls or the Knicks.

Privately, he and Amar'e Stoudemire have talked about teaming up together in New York. At Anthony's wedding in July, Chris Paul said he and Anthony planned to join Stoudemire with the Knicks to take on LeBron James and the Miami Heat Big Three.

On Monday, Anthony denied ever making any trade demands.

"I never said I wanted to be traded," he said. "I never once said anything about trade talk."

Anthony could decide to play out the season in Denver and head into free agency next summer, which would follow exactly what the Knicks want him to do so they can sign him without giving up any talent off the roster. The Nuggets are more likely to try to trade him before the February trade deadline so they don't walk away empty-handed like the Cavaliers did when LeBron left.