Nuggets may want Randolph in Anthony deal
According to a source, Denver may want the Knicks to include 21-year-old forward Anthony Randolph, left, in a trade for Carmelo Anthony. Credit: AP
Anthony Randolph's most significant contribution to the Knicks this season might come in the next few weeks, as a chip in a trade for Carmelo Anthony.
Initially it was believed that Randolph would be used to acquire a first-round pick, which teams such as the Pacers, Trail Blazers and Timberwolves were willing to offer for the 21-year-old forward. The Knicks could then flip that pick to the Denver Nuggets, who are seeking multiple first-round picks as part of a package for their superstar.
But Randolph might not get moved for a pick after all; a person with knowledge of the Nuggets' thinking told Newsday that they might ask that he be included in the negotiations.
The source also said the Nuggets don't hold rookie Landry Fields in high regard, which would come as some relief to the Knicks, who are hesitant to give up too much of their young talent. According to a report by ESPN Radio last week, the Knicks initially offered Fields and Wilson Chandler along with Eddy Curry and a first-round pick, which, as expected, was turned down by the Nuggets.
The Knicks likely will have to sweeten the pot. Randolph, who has played sparingly under Mike D'Antoni, could be one name added to the package.
Donnie Walsh, who before last night's game against the Wizards spoke in generalities about trades - not specifically about Anthony - said there are no untouchables.
"I'm not going to make a statement on something like that," he said. "I don't know, there are very few players you'd say, offhand, I will never trade this guy. I didn't say that about Reggie Miller."
It's pretty clear, however, that Amar'e Stoudemire won't be on the block.
Walsh's agent, Steve Kauffman, is in New York for the week and attended last night's game. He said he was not in town specifically to speak with Knicks owner James Dolan about Walsh's contract, "but if he wanted to, I'm open to that."
Walsh has a team option for the 2011-12 season that has to be picked up by April. Walsh, who turns 70 on March 1, said he wants to stay with the franchise and finish what he started in rebuilding the Knicks.
The Dolan family owns controlling interests in the Knicks, MSG and Cablevision. Cablevision owns Newsday.
