In the long-standing saga surrounding Carmelo Anthony, the Nuggets may have "overplayed their hand" in negotiations with the Nets, according to one executive, and New Jersey's front office is now in the process of "substantively" re-evaluating its pursuit of Anthony.

The Nets have been chasing Anthony for months but according to sources, New Jersey has grown "sick of the whole charade" and have "backed away."

But the Nets have not yet completely pulled out of the hunt to acquire Anthony, who is reportedly reluctant to sign a contract extension in New Jersey.

The Nuggets are expected to opt for a young roster and to try to accumulate draft picks if the team does decide to move Anthony.

George Karl admitted to inquiring about the availability of Kevin Love during the previous offseason.

"We liked him last year when he was kind of inconsistent," Karl said. "We made inquiries on Kevin Love this summer. (But) we didn't think this. We didn't think he'd make the huge step that he's made from last year to this year. This is incredible."

Asked how close the Nuggets were to acquiring Love, Karl said: "I know he was on our radar screen. I know there were inquiries. In some of the meetings we talked, his name was out there. It never got close, I know that."

Marcus Camby sat out Portland's loss to Denver on Tuesday night with a sprained right ankle.

He was replaced in the lineup by Dante Cunningham.

Camby was injured with 7:26 left in the third quarter of the Trail Blazers' victory over the Jazz on Monday and did not return.

Carmelo Anthony is scheduled to return to the Nuggets on Thursday after spending time grieving his sister Michelle’s death.

Michelle passed away last week due to a pre-existing medical condition, and Anthony left the Nuggets immediately to be with his family in Baltimore.

Anthony said he appreciates the outpouring of love and support from his Denver family during this time. He is looking forward to returning to the team and working with his teammates.

The Nuggets had postponed trade discussions involving Anthony during his bereavement absence.

The Nuggets don't know if they'll have Carmelo Anthony for Tuesday night's game against the Trail Blazers.

Anthony has missed Denver's last three games following the death of his sister.

The Nuggets are 0-3 without their All-Star forward.

George Karl said he spoke Monday night with general manager Masai Ujiri, who thought Anthony would fly home later Tuesday.

Al Harrington left Denver's loss to Philadelphia on Sunday night with a dislocated right thumb.

He was injured in the second quarter when Thaddeus Young knocked the ball away from him.

Harrington left the court holding his right thumb.

George Karl said Saturday night that he has no update on the status of Carmelo Anthony, who left the team following the death of his sister.

Anthony missed his second straight game on Christmas against Oklahoma City.

Karl says he doesn't expect Anthony to return for a home game Sunday against Philadelphia.

The Nets are hoping to sell Carmelo Anthony on their future by also acquiring Andre Miller, one of his former teammates.

New Jersey has continued talks with Portland and Denver about the possibility of adding Miller in a multi-team trade that would land them Anthony, according to a league source.

Anthony and Miller were teammates with the Nuggets from 2003-06 and played well together.

While Anthony would like the idea of playing with Miller, sources indicate that New Jersey would have to acquire another quality player for him to serious consider signing a contract extension.

Under one scenario, Denver would receive Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy and two first-round picks. In another, Portland would receive Devin Harris from New Jersey.

Carmelo Anthony is expected to return to the team after Christmas following the death of his sister.

Michelle Anthony died of a pre-existing medical condition Tuesday in Baltimore; she is survived by her four children. Carmelo Anthony left the Nuggets on Wednesday to be with his family as they make funeral arrangements.

The Nuggets have decided to put trade talks involving Carmelo Anthony on hold out of respect for the forward, who is grieving the death of his sister, a source has told Ken Berger of CBS Sports.

Denver officials have begun informing teams that they will not be engaging in any further trade discussions, especially with the closeness of the tragedy to the Christmas holiday.