With the trade deadline just one week away, the Denver Nuggets are doing their due diligence and leaving no stone unturned as they weigh a potential Carmelo Anthony deal.

The Nuggets don’t want to trade Anthony without exploring all of their options, which is why they gave one last call to the New Jersey Nets just one month after the team withdrew themselves from advanced negotiations involving Anthony.

Sources close to the situation confirmed that the Nuggets and Nets have once again held discussions regarding Anthony, but were quick to label the talks "exploratory." The Nuggets initiated the talks last week in hopes of bringing the Nets back to the table. Denver knows that New Jersey can produce the most attractive package for their superstar or, at the very least, help drive up the price for Anthony.

The general consensus around the league is that the Nuggets are making one last call to potential suitors before ultimately entering serious talks with the New York Knicks over the All-Star break.

Even with the Nets answering the phone, the Knicks are still the team to watch as the deadline approaches.

Talks between Denver and New York have progressed, and one source said that a deal between the two sides is "65 percent complete" with the specifics to be worked out when the two parties meet face to face over the All-Star break. A similar meeting has not been scheduled with the Nets, nor has a meeting between the team’s officials and Anthony been discussed as of yet.

Both Denver and New York are hesitant to meet the other’s needs, but all of the involved parties have started making plans that suggest a trade is inevitable. The Knicks have reached out to several free agents with the assumption that they’ll have open roster spots to fill after the deadline, including one player that is very close with Anthony.

New York doesn’t want to gut their roster for Anthony and Denver doesn’t want to let the Knicks make out like a bandit in any deal.  But at the end of the day, league sources continue to believe that one side will budge.

In recent years, All-Star Weekend has been a hotbed for trade rumors involving star players and that will likely continue this year. While teams generally don’t finalize trades during the break, deals are often consummated and become official shortly after.

With trade talks expected to advance and face to face meetings already scheduled, it’s very possible that Anthony has played his last game as a member of the Denver Nuggets.

Blake Adjusting in Los Angeles: When Steve Blake signed with the Los Angeles Lakers last offseason, he turned down larger offers and bigger roles to join the defending champions. Now, eight months later, Blake has adjusted to his new team and couldn’t be happier with his decision.

"It’s been great," Blake told HOOPSWORLD. "I’m playing with great players that have really helped me along and this is a great coaching staff. It’s always an adjustment coming to a new team, but I feel like I’m really part of the team and we’re playing better together now. There’s not much more to pick up at this point. It’s really just getting out there and executing now."

Because he is a distributor that has made a career out of getting other players involved, Blake appreciates a talented supporting cast. He knows it doesn’t get much better than the players currently surrounding him in Los Angeles.

"There’s nothing better than playing with great players. I’m the type of player that likes to find people before looking out for myself. When you get to pass to guys like Pau, Kobe, Lamar or any of these guys, it definitely makes you better. I like it a lot," he said.

{AUTHOR_BOX}But the biggest adjustment for the seven-year veteran has been moving to the bench. After starting the majority of games at his previous stops, Blake is now playing a supporting role and trying to produce in limited minutes.

"It’s different because it’s not doing as much playmaking as I would have some place else," Blake said. "But every team has their own systems and I really enjoy the Triangle offense and everything we do here. It’s been a lot of fun to try something new."

While his minutes have decreased, there’s no question that the amount of exposure Blake receives has increased. He is often stopped on the streets by fans and his popularity has risen since joining the team.

"You definitely get recognized more," he said with a laugh. "The Lakers have a big following and they play on TV all the time so it does come with the territory."

Blake is happy with his decision and, like most players that land in Los Angeles, enjoys the purple and gold lifestyle.

Meet Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose: Fans from across the country venture to NBA All-Star Weekend every year to enjoy the basketball events that take place, but there are also plenty of festivities surrounding the competitions that keep fans busy throughout the three days.

From parties to meet and greets with All-Stars, there are plenty of opportunities to have fun and run into your favorite players. This year, adidas is inviting fans to meet Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose at various times throughout the weekend.

They have teamed up with Foot Locker to host Howard and Rose at Foot Locker stores in Los Angeles on Saturday and Sunday. Fans will have the opportunity to get autographs and photos with the All-Stars on a first come, first serve basis.

The players will each be launching the second versions of their signature shoes, the Dwight Howard Superbeast and adiZero Rose 1.5. The shoes are now available nationwide, but the stars will be promoting them over the course of the weekend along with adidas’ TECHFIT jerseys.

"Los Angeles is an exciting convergence of sports, style and entertainment unlike any other place in the world," said Lawrence Norman, adidas Vice President, Global Basketball. "Our latest on-court uniform design and innovation, as well as our off-court footwear and apparel, celebrate the city and the game of basketball. NBA All-Star is the premiere event for adidas to showcase our innovations on basketball’s biggest stage and there is no better time or place to show basketball fans around the world how our products make the best athletes in the world, lighter, faster and stronger."

Howard will be in Santa Monica at the Third Street Promenade Foot Locker on Saturday from 2:45-3:45. Rose will be at the Foot Locker at Westfield Culver City on Sunday from 11-NOON.

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NBA Chats: There are three NBA Chats today starting with HOOPSWORLD rookie Stephen Brotherston at 12pm EST. Stephen covers the Toronto Raptors and the Eastern Conference for HOOPSWORLD. Senior NBA Writer Joel Brigham will host his weekly NBA chat at 4:30pm EST. HOOPSWORLD rookie Lang Greene will host his NBA chat tonight at 8pm EST. Lang covers the Atlanta Hawks and the Eastern Conference. Get your questions in early. You can always find the next NBA chat here: Upcoming NBA Chats.