On the Carmelo watch, tonight watch Batum

The Nuggets are by no means the only NBA team with interest in Batum, a 22-year-old small forward from France averaging 11.1 points and 4.5 rebounds. But the Nuggets could have the means to acquire him if their talks with the New Jersey Nets ever come to fruition, because the Trail Blazers would only consider trading Batum if they were getting back a comparable player plus a likely lottery pick, and the Nets have offered their own No. 1 pick (along with different combinations of No.1 picks owed to them in 2011 and 2012 by the Lakers, Rockets and Warriors) in their efforts to acquire Anthony from Denver.

So if the Nuggets acquired the rights to an unprotected Nets' pick, the Blazers would be willing to listen to what else Denver would add to a potential trade for Batum.

One league source told ESPN.com that acquiring Derrick Favors and Batum is the "grand slam" that Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri would like to hit, but he remains handcuffed by Anthony's preference for a trade to the New York Knicks. As I reported last month, Anthony has made it known to the Nuggets that if he is traded, he will not sign his $65 million contract extension with any team other than New York. The source said Anthony has steadfastly maintained that stance in his recent discussions with Nuggets officials, despite the Nets being told that Anthony would sign the extension with them if he is traded to New Jersey.