"Portland has tried to help the Nets acquire Carmelo Anthony. The Nets could use Derrick Favors' help, too.

The Blazers tried to include New Orleans in a mega-deal that would have sent Chris Paul to Portland, Devin Harris, Kris Humphries and a host of Blazers to the Hornets, Favors to Denver and Anthony and Andre Miller to the Nets, league sources said.

The Portland-proposed deal would have been a great trade for the Nets and Blazers. But the talks didn't really go anywhere.

New Orleans and Denver plan to keep their respective superstars, at least for the time being. There could come a time when the Hornets decide to move Paul, and most within the NBA think it's only a matter of time before Denver deals Anthony.

The Nets still are trying to trade for Anthony, but they're probably going to need more from Favors.

The rookie power forward shot 0-for-5 and had zero points and five rebounds in 23 minutes in Wednesday's 91-81 preseason loss to Houston in China. It was Favors' third rough outing in four games, two of which were attended by a Nuggets scout. If Denver officials were watching Wednesday's game on NBA TV, whatever interest they have in Favors may have lessened."