Nets yet to get OK to talk to Melo

The New Jersey Nets have not yet been granted permission to meet with Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony, a well-placed league source told SI.com on Monday.

After the Nuggets lost at San Antonio on Sunday, Anthony insisted that he had no plans to meet with the Nets, who are reportedly anxious to conclude a blockbuster deal for Anthony when their owner, Mikhail Prokhorov, arrives in the United States on Wednesday.

The Nets may eventually receive permission to meet with Anthony, the source told SI.com. But as of Monday, according to the source, a finalized trade for Anthony was not imminent.

The Associated Press reported on Monday that Nets coach Avery Johnson had no knowledge of a meeting with Anthony. Johnson said before New Jersey's game against Golden State that general mangager Billy King had not informed him of any potential meeting with the Nuggets' forward.

"You guys always have something new every day," Johnson told reporters. "If there's such a meeting taking place, make sure you guys contact [Nets spokesman] Gary Sussman so I can make sure I make myself available."

Johnson also concurred with SI.com's source that reports of the trade being imminent were inaccurate.

"What I want to do is try to get a win," Johnson said. "We're 0-3 on this trip and we've come close in a few of those games. Right now, my job is to coach. ... I'm trying to keep our players locked in."