January 27 2011 Last updated at 08:41 PM ET
Carmelo Anthony was named Thursday to start the NBA All-Star Game.Maybe he will.
If the forward were to be traded before the Feb. 20 All-Star Game in Los Angeles from the Denver Nuggets of the Western Conference to a team in the Eastern Conference, he instead would be placed on the East roster for the game. If all five East starters are healthy and ready to go, it would mean Anthony coming off the bench.
It also could mean the East having 13 players on its roster if Anthony were to be traded to the East after the reserves are announced next Thursday and all players are healthy and ready to play. The West roster could be down to 11 players but could be restored to 12 with a replacement named for Anthony.
An NBA official confirmed the scenarios with FanHouse when information was requested on how any player in the exact situation as Anthony would be handled by the league.
Anthony has yet to sign a three-year, $64.47 million extension and can opt out of his contract and become a free agent this summer. That's why he's a good bet to be traded by the Feb. 24 deadline.
Teams regarded as the most likely destinations for Anthony are in the East. New York is considered the top possible landing spot with Chicago also a possibility. New Jersey pulled out of trade talks last week due to sources saying Anthony at this time has no interest in signing an extension with the Nets. But it's not out of the question the Nets could enter the picture again if Anthony changes his mind.
Anthony, averaging 23.6 points, was named Thursday to his fourth All-Star Game and for the third time as a starter in the fan voting. If he's traded to the East by the All-Star Game, history still will record him as having been voted a West starter.
But Anthony might not actually start in the game if he's dealt to the East before Feb. 20.
Chris Tomasson covered the Denver Nuggets from 2002-09 for the defunct Rocky Mountain News. Prior to that, he was on the Cleveland Cavaliers beat for the Akron Beacon Journal and also has covered five Olympics, major college sports, the NFL and MLB. He has won numerous awards, including 10 in the past nine Pro Basketball Writers Association contests.
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