The Knicks missed out on nabbing LeBron this past off season. The Yankees lost out on Cliff Lee to Philadelphia despite offering up to $48 million more over the length of the contract. The third time has to be a charm for New York right? That’s what Knicks fans are hoping amidst rumors that Carmelo Anthony is heading to the Big Apple. This summer Melo turned down a three year extension worth $65 million with the Nuggets. According to ESPN’s Chris Sheridan Carmelo will only sign a long term deal if he is traded to the Knicks. If the Denver franchise knows what’s best for them, they will trade him before he leaves in the summer and they get nothing in return. It finally looks like Spike Lee will have something worth rooting for!!
There are still other suitors vying for the services of Carmelo Anthony. The Nets have the most to offer the Denver Nuggets by way of trade. Though it is a long shot some believe that Anthony’s relationship with Michael Jordan could woe him to the Charlotte Bobcats. The problem is that neither of these teams have the potential to be instant contenders. Carmelo isn’t going to just any team. Sure the New Jersey Nets could offer him a max contract and the opportunity to play in with Jay-Z courtside every night, but the team has been cellar dwellers for the past two seasons. They would have to deplete their roster even further to obtain Melo’s services. The same is to be said for a rumored trade to the Bobcats. The Nuggets may be quick to pull the trigger on this deal because they would receive Gerald Wallace who can fill the void left by Anthony at the small forward spot. But will it be worth it for the Bobcats if Anthony, who is a free agent after this season, decides to up and leave? In my opinion the Knicks are the only possible destination at this time.
Sure the Knicks have not made the playoffs since 2000, but this is not the same team that has struggled since the post-Ewing error. The acquisition of Amare Stoudemire is a major factor in the Knicks being the front runner for Carmelo. He is off to a great start this season averaging 26.2 points and nine rebounds per game. In the past three contests he has scored thirty plus points. Knowing that he will be holding down the paint for the next five years will surely factor into Anthony’s decision. New York is playing very well right now with a record of 16-9 which ties them with Orlando for the third best record in the Eastern Conference. The loosing culture that has haunted the storied franchise seems to be turning a new leaf. That change will surely be expedited by the play of Anthony.
It’s not a matter of if this deal will happen for the Knicks, but how much will they have to give up in order for it to occur? Eddy Curry’s expiring contract is sure to be on the table which the Knicks have to be thrilled about. He has been nothing but a headache since putting on a Knicks uniform, not to mention he hasn’t played all season due to injury. To give up a first round draft pick would be nothing compared to the longevity that Melo’s career in a Knicks jersey would promise. The piece of the puzzle that the Knicks should avoid parting with at all costs is Danilo Gallinari. I know you are thinking that the second-year forward is a minor factor, but his ability to shoot the ball would provide the Knicks with an offensive weapon to complement Stoudemire’s post play and Melo’s ability to get to the basket at will. He is currently ninth in three pointers made this season with 49, despite averaging only 15 points per game. Looking at the history of NBA championship teams, an automatic three point shooter is always part of the formula. (Ray Allen for the Celtics, Kerr for the Bulls, Horry for every team he played for, etc.)
New York should look to get this deal done as soon as possible. Knicks fans will be in an uproar if their ownership waits until the summer and the Bulls come up with enough money to make a run at Carmelo or the Hornets come to their senses and realize that the only way to keep Chris Paul would be to break the bank on another superstar. If New Yorkers are willing to forget that he torched Saint Johns in 2003 and punched Mardy Collins at The Garden, then Knicks management should work expeditiously to welcome #15 to New York City.
