Carmelo Anthony's In a NY State of Mind
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The summer of LeBron has become the autumn of Melo.
The Knicks have put themselves in position to acquire All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony, who reportedly has informed the Denver Nuggets that he will not sign a proposed three-year, $65 million contract extension. Anthony's reluctance to accept the contract could force Denver to trade its best player before he becomes a free agent on July 1.
Anthony, who was born in Brooklyn, has told close associates that New York is his preferred destination, although the Knicks will face stiff competition from the Bulls, Magic and Jay-Z's Nets. The Knicks are confident that they can sign Anthony outright next summer. According to a team source, Isiah Thomas has assured Garden chairman James Dolan that Anthony told him he intends to sign with the Knicks.
However, Knicks president Donnie Walsh could make a deal for Anthony between now and the February trading deadline if the Nuggets are worried about losing the former Syracuse star without compensation.
There are reports that the Knicks are offering a package featuring Danilo Gallinari, Eddy Curry and his expiring contract plus a future first-round pick. Walsh said Tuesday night that those reports are "just rumors" and would not comment further on any talks between the Knicks and Denver.
The Nuggets are currently without a general manager, which wouldn't necessarily delay any trade involving Anthony. Denver owner Stan Kroenke, along with adviser Bret Bearup and coach George Karl - one of Walsh's best friends - have enough experience between them to pull off a trade.
However, the Nuggets aren't in a rush to trade one of the league's top five players, especially in one-sided deal for Gallinari, Curry and a future No. 1 pick. A Knicks official admitted that if Denver makes it known that it is open to trading Anthony, that no fewer than "22 teams will be calling them up to make a deal."
If Anthony is traded, it won't necessarily be to his preferred destination. He has leverage because any team would need him to sign an extension, but he doesn't have a trade clause in his contract.
The Nuggets could get more than what the Knicks have to offer, including from the Nets, who are pursuing Anthony with minority owner Jay-Z as a conduit.
The Nets have three enticing players - guard Devin Harris, center Brook Lopez and rookie forward Derrick Favors - as well as 10 draft picks over the next three years (more than any other team).
They also have the allure of Brooklyn, which is the native borough of Anthony and his wife, TV personality La La Vazquez.
Nets GM Billy King declined to comment, citing the anti-tampering instructions of a memo sent out by the league when Chris Paul was thought to be available.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...#ixzz0wyUwBlZ6
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If the Knicks don't sign a big FA this summer, then I'm dropping them from the NBA teams I root for.
I already dropped the Nets since they're leaving Jersey and being bought by a russian, but if the Knicks can't capitalize then it's over for me rooting for these two teams.Comment
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If the Knicks don't sign a big FA this summer, then I'm dropping them from the NBA teams I root for.
I already dropped the Nets since they're leaving Jersey and being bought by a russian, but if the Knicks can't capitalize then it's over for me rooting for these two teams.
Well. The Knicks are "supposedly" #1 on his list, a list that also includes the Nets, Magic and Rockets. Regardless, I won't get my hopes up until the trade is actually made. Which will more than likely not happen.Comment
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