Knicks concerned about Carmelo situation
Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony drives past Houston Rockets' Shane Battier during the third quarter, Jan. 3, 2011, in Denver. Credit: AP
Carmelo Anthony will go to the All-Star Game this weekend in Los Angeles as a member of the Denver Nuggets, a person with knowledge of the situation said. But although a trade won't happen this week, the source said the Knicks have "more of a sense of urgency'' to get a deal done for the four-time All-Star before the Feb. 24 trade deadline.
"They don't want to overbid," the source said, "but they also don't want to be left without a chair when the music stops."
Though no formal offers have been made by the Knicks, it has been clear that - with the knowledge that Anthony prefers to be in New York with a three-year, $65-million extension as part of the trade - they believe they have some leverage in negotiations with Denver.
The Nuggets, however, have maintained a stance that they won't trade Anthony if they're not satisfied with an offer for him.
Newsday reported Saturday that the Nuggets have been talking with other teams, with the Rockets as one dark-horse candidate, and also are interested in re-engaging talks with the Nets. Perhaps it's posturing, but the Knicks are concerned, the source said.
ESPN reported Friday that the Nuggets want Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and Timofey Mozgov, along with multiple first-round picks, from the Knicks. That's a steep price that has led to some debate within the Knicks' hierarchy, according to multiple sources.
Mike D'Antoni, two sources said, is putting up the most resistance against giving up so many young players. Donnie Walsh has long been in favor of adding Anthony, whom he has told confidants is one of the toughest players in the league. Team owner James Dolan, multiple sources say, is on board with making the investment to add another star to join $100-million man Amar'e Stoudemire.
On Sunday, Stoudemire received treatment on his sprained right big toe that caused him to miss Saturday night's victory over the Nets, the first game he has missed since the end of the 2008-09 season. It ended a streak of 134 consecutive games, not including 16 playoff games in 2009-10. The team did not practice Sunday.
The Knicks have one more game before the All-Star break, Wednesday night against the Hawks at the Garden. Stoudemire said he expects to be ready to play by then. "And if I am, then the All-Star Game will be a go," he said. "And if not, I won't be able to play as much."
Considering how banged up his body is and how important he is to the playoff push with 31 games left, the Knicks probably would prefer to see Stoudemire not do much at all during All-Star weekend. But he and Anthony are expected to be as sought after as Stoudemire and LeBron James were last season, when there were rumors that the Cavaliers were involved in trade talks for Stoudemire.
Those talks did not result in a deal by the deadline. The Knicks are hoping for a different result this time.
The Dolan family owns
controlling interests in the Knicks, MSG and Cablevision.
Cablevision owns Newsday.
