Rumors of Anthony coming to Knicks heat up again

MONTREAL - The Knicks' preseason ends here tomorrow against the Raptors and the regular season opens Wednesday against the same team in Toronto. The Knicks are expected to be the same team by then, but there continues to be a concerted effort behind the scenes to make a significant upgrade by the name of Carmelo Anthony.

Though it is unlikely a deal will be completed any time soon, multiple sources told Newsday that the Knicks are at least finally getting traction in their attempts to acquire Anthony, a three-time All-Star, from the Denver Nuggets. A person with direct knowledge of the situation told Newsday late Tuesday night that the Nuggets have had internal discussions about dealing with the Knicks after Denver initially dismissed them as a credible trading partner.

"They're coming off the medication," the source said of the Nuggets, who were defiant at first about trading Anthony to his choice destination, the Knicks, but have since come to the realization that they need to consider all scenarios rather than lose their superstar in free agency the way the Cavaliers did with LeBron James this past summer.

The source also said that there was "nothing imminent" and a second source said the Nuggets have yet to engage the Knicks in formal trade talks. Another source with knowledge of Denver's plans said the franchise still is holding out hope that they can convince Anthony to accept the three-year, $65-million extension that has been on the table since June.

Along with the Knicks, an NBA source told Newsday that the Nets, who were close to completing a four-team deal for Anthony before training camp opened, also remain very much in the hunt.

The Nets' package included the No. 3 overall pick, Derrick Favors, but one of the sources said the Nuggets are less enamored with adding the 19-year-old rookie, who struggled with foul trouble against Amar'e Stoudemire in the Knicks' 117-111 win over the Nets on Tuesday at the Garden. The source said that Denver's braintrust is debating the value of Favors against the Knicks' Anthony Randolph, who, at 21, is still young but has two years of NBA experience under his belt. The Knicks may have to give up other young talents, such as Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and, perhaps, Timofey Mozgov.

But with Stoudemire, who spoke regularly with Anthony during the offseason and privately is hoping a deal can be completed this season, and with Raymond Felton, the Knicks believe adding Anthony would make them a contender in the East. It also would make them very attractive to other free agents, such as Chris Paul and Deron Williams come 2012. Even with Anthony and Stoudemire on the payroll, the Knicks will have cap flexibility then to make a play for either All-Star point guard.

The Nets included a first-round pick in their package for Anthony. The Knicks can't offer a first-round pick until 2014, but team president Donnie Walsh is confident he can acquire a first-round pick from another team if need be.

A major part of any deal, the source added, was that Denver must come away with immediate payroll savings. The Nuggets are almost $12 million over the $70-million luxury-tax threshold, and when added to the $12 million they will be charged ($1 for every million) for being over, the excess is almost $24 million.

The Dolan family owns controlling interests in the Knicks, MSG and Cablevision. Cablevision owns Newsday.