The Melo story: 5 wrong turns in Carmelo Anthony's career

#3 Demanding a trade to New York

2011 NBA All-Star Game

At the start of the 2010-11 season, Melo declined a contract extension from the Nuggets and demanded a trade to New York. The two franchises failed to reach an agreement then, which led to a midseason trade involving Chauncey Billups at the All-Star break trade deadline.

If only he'd waited until free agency and signed with a team better positioned for playoff success, he could have had the championship ring or rings that players of his caliber usually end up with. Instead, the Knicks continued to be a franchise hit by gross mismanagement right from the ownership level, and Melo had to waste his prime with them.