Carmelo Anthony thinks the Denver Nuggets’ reason for giving Nikola Jokić No. 15 was ulterior.

At a 7PM Brooklyn event hosted by Wave Sports + Entertainment, Anthony described giving Jokić his Denver jersey number a “petty maneuver.” Not like, ‘well, we have numbers to chose from.’ It said ‘here, you got 15.’

He said, “You included Jokić in it. He doesn’t understand what’s happening. He may have worn it to honor me, but I think they gave him 15 to erase my actions.”

Anthony acknowledged Jokić as the franchise’s new face.

“When you think of 15 in Denver now, to this generation, you [think the] Jоker,” said. “Nothing about that. It was two generations apart. That proves The Nuggets are still in that moment. The year is 2010. Thirteen years ago. If so, you’re clinging onto something from 13 years ago.”

Anthony, drafted third overall in 2003, played with the Nuggets until midway through his ninth season, when they moved him to the Knicks. The six-time All-Star averaged 24.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.

He guided Denver to the playoffs every season, including the 2009 Western Conference Finals.

Perhaps the Nuggets might have retired his number, but he demanded a trade. Although he left the Knicks, Denver fans still booed him years later.

Not the cleanest breakup.

Jokić achieved what Anthony failed with the Nuggets, winning a championship and two MVP awards. In the future, he may be the greatest player in team history.

Even the most hopeful Denver supporters couldn’t have predicted this with the big guy.

He was a second-round choice who was notably picked during a Taco Bell advertisement. Three years after trading Anthony, the Nuggets held the 2014 draft.

Denver didn’t instantly sign a star and demand he wear No. 15. Jokić was a late addition to the 2014 draft and was not expected to displace the previous number holder.

Unfortunately, Anthony thinks the Nuggets wаnted to sаy something.