HoopsHype.com Rumors

If the Knicks cannot find a deal for one or both players, Renaldo Balkman could be bought out to clear at least one roster spot. HoopsWorld

New York Knicks, Renaldo Balkman 

Anthony will sign the contract extension to complete the deal, which sends four players and three draft picks to Denver in exchange for Melo, point guard Chauncey Billups and reserves Anthony Carter, Shelden Williams and Renaldo Balkman. Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Trade, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter, Renaldo Balkman 

The Nets and Nuggets are discussing a deal that would send Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Melvin Ely, Renaldo Balkman and Shelden Williams to the Nets for Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, Troy Murphy, Ben Uzoh and four first-round draft picks, a league source with knowledge of the talks told Yahoo! Sports on Thursday night. Now, the pressure could be back on the New York Knicks to sweeten their offer and get Anthony before the Feb. 24 trade deadline. Knicks president Donnie Walsh has seemed willing to let Anthony go into free agency, when New York can try to sign him in the summer. The Knicks and Nuggets have negotiated steadily in recent weeks, but Denver has been frustrated with New York’s reluctance to part with key young players in a deal. Yahoo! Sports

Denver Nuggets, New Jersey Nets, Trade, Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy, Devin Harris, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Melvin Ely, Renaldo Balkman, Ben Uzoh 

Chris Broussard: Den swinging for fences: sources say in addition to Harrington, they're pushing NJ to take Renaldo Balkman & maybe give up 1st rounder too Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, New Jersey Nets, Trade, Carmelo Anthony, Renaldo Balkman 

From the standpoint of easing Anthony's concerns about signing a three-year, $65 million extension with the Nets, it represents a major breakthrough for the Nuggets. But executives in contact with Denver officials say Ujiri hasn't given up on recruiting the Blazers to contribute Batum and wants more time to shop the current offer and make sure it is the best deal he can get. In addition to getting another young player -- and Denver isn't sold on Harris, given the $17.8 million price tag over the next two seasons and the progress of Ty Lawson -- the Nuggets are continuing to explore getting off one of their long-term contracts as part of an Anthony trade. Sources say they are working feverishly to find a taker for either Al Harrington or Renaldo Balkman, a requirement that complicates matters even more. CBSSports.com

Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, New Jersey Nets, Trade, Carmelo Anthony, Al Harrington, Renaldo Balkman 

Do you talk to George or to management about your situation? Renaldo Balkman: They know. They know. I mean, we talk every now and then, nothing like all the time. We're not like best buddies or anything. You know how coaches and players can be sometimes. But at the same time, if he calls my name, I do the best I can do. Like I say, stay professional about it. NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Renaldo Balkman 

Do you get to the point where you say, 'if you're not going to play me, I'd like for it to happen somewhere else?' Renaldo Balkman: I mean, it gets to that point a lot. But at the same time, I'm here. And whatever happens after this, happens. I can't just keep running on how I'm not playing, or get rid of me, 'cause I might go somewhere else and not play, too. It might be my destiny to play here. I'm not playing right now, but after a while, I might get to playing, and end my career here in Denver. So I don't want to wish bad on me by getting traded. I do want to play basketball. I'm a basketball player. I came in this league playing basketball. I don't know want to end up leaving the league not playing basketball and not nobody knowing who I am. But for the most part, I stay professional about it and come to work every day and work hard. NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Trade, Renaldo Balkman 

We haven't seen much of Balkman this year, but the reason is similar to last season (which we discussed often in this very mailbag): He hasn't been giving it his all at practice. His focus has been wishy-washy. I've been told he doesn't know all the plays and he doesn't always make the best decisions on the court. And so, it's understandable why other guys are getting more playing time (or, well -- playing time in general). Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Renaldo Balkman 

Balkman has endeavored to become a more detail-oriented player. And yes, a harder-working player. Arriving early and staying late are now norms. Coming into the Pepsi Center at night to get shots up is in as well. "Last year was hard for me," Balkman said. "I was hurt and didn't play in a lot of the games; I sat out probably half of the season due to my back. But I came in this year with an attitude like, injury-free with the mind-set that I'm going to play my heart out. "Staying after late like I'm doing now, come in later on at night and coming in early, that's showing all of the coaches that I'm dedicated to the game, dedicated to the team." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Renaldo Balkman 

When McKinley got drafted by the Denver Broncos on April 26, 2009, one of the first phone calls he received was from Balkman, who was thrilled to hear they would have a chance to reunite as pro athletes in the Mile High City. “I called him immediately,” Balkman said. “I told him I’d try to find him a crib, whatever he wanted. I told him when he gets here, hit me up. Anything he needed, I was here for him. He always used to come over and hang out and chill with me.” NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Renaldo Balkman 

Three days later, Balkman remains in disbelief as he tries to comprehend McKinley’s death. Investigators believe the 23-year-old Broncos wide receiver died Monday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. “I know he just wanted to play football. That’s all he wanted to do,” Balkman said. “When I heard the news, it hurt because he would come over and we’d have a good vibe going on. It was just shocking. Unbelievable. I must be dreaming. It still is like that. I can’t believe it’s true.” NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Renaldo Balkman 

Like most of the people who were close to McKinley, Balkman said his friend never showed any outward signs of someone contemplating suicide. According to an Arapahoe County Sheriff’s report, McKinley was depressed after knee surgery in August and talked about killing himself. “It’s crazy, man. He never showed signs of nothing (suicidal),” Balkman said. “I still don’t believe it.” NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Renaldo Balkman 

Renaldo Balkman's grandmother was born in Puerto Rico, which makes the Denver Nuggets forward eligible for the national team. But this fact wasn't too well known during much of Balkman's first four years in the NBA. "I just never told anybody,'' Balkman said earlier this week about his Puerto Rican heritage. "If you had asked me, I would have told you. Now, everybody knows. But before they never asked me.'' FanHouse.com

Denver Nuggets, FIBA, Renaldo Balkman 

"My mom always told me I should go visit, and I finally did,'' Balkman said of going to the U.S. territory that plays under its own flag in international competitions. "And look at the outcome. I'm on the Puerto Rico team. ... When I went there the first time, it was a little different. Now, it's for our country, for our pride. But it was different at first.'' FanHouse.com

Denver Nuggets, FIBA, Renaldo Balkman 

Renaldo Balkman stormed off the Puerto Rican locker room after losing against Greece and National Team's head coach Manolo Cintron said he was not happy at all. "He's demanding minutes and not giving anything in return. He has not played more because I don't think he has adapted well to our system. And he has been the most inconsistent player during practices. His attitude is not good. He left the locker room at the end of the game. That's not right," said Cintron. El Nuevo Dia

Puerto Rico, Renaldo Balkman