Big Apple 'Melo-ing out

By Dan Rodgers

Of course the day I decide to write a tidbit about the trade is the day that the trade finally get done.

Carmelo Anthony has reportedly been traded to the New York Knicks, according to the Denver Post. Apparently, the trade involves Anthony and at least two other Nuggets, four Knicks, draft picks and cash.

WOW...I'll write more when I know what players were involved...

UPDATE:

Knicks Get:

• SF: Carmelo Anthony
• PG: Chauncey Billups
• G: Anthony Carter
• G/F: Sheldon Williams
  
• F: Renaldo Balkman (former-Knick)

Knicks C Eddy Curry and PF Anthony Randolph are reportedly going to be traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Nuggets Get:

• F: Danilo Gallinari
• F: Wilson Chandler
• PG: Raymond Felton
• C: Timofey Mozgov
• Knicks 1st-round pick 2014
• Warriors 2nd-round pick 2012 & 2013
• $3 million cash
  

This is an awkward trade for the Knicks. They gave up a ton of depth to get Anthony and if Billups retires they will have to start Toney Douglas. Douglas has looked good at times but I don't know if he's ready to start.

The Knicks are now forced to either play a very small lineup with Amar'e Stoudemire at center or start Ronny Turiaf or another bench player there. They'll probably do the latter of the two options.

I can't wait until Sunday Feb. 27, 2011 when the Knicks play the Heat. That will be a great game and early test for the Melo/Amar'e combo.

Rodgers That

'Melo Out

By Dan Rodgers

The NBA trade deadline is three days away and we have yet to see anything noteworthy. The big player that everyone wants to know about is Denver Nuggets Forward Carmelo Anthony.

The Syracuse product is easily a top 10 player in the NBA and he is only 26 years old. The big players are the New Jersey (soon to be Brooklyn) Nets and New York Knicks. The Nets owner has said that he met with Melo and that it went great.

Per an article from ESPN New York, "As you know, my instinct was to stay away and I still think that is [the] right decision," Prokhorov said.

Mikhail Prokhorov, owner of the Nets and Russian billionaire, called of the talks about a month ago but said the meeting went "fantastic." The Nets look to be forcing the Knicks to play their hand if they want Anthony.

The Knicks, in response, have drawn a line in the sand. They have offered the Nuggets a trade and have said they won't budge from there. The trade will likely have the Knicks give up Wilson Chandler and Raymond Felton among other players.

As a Knicks fan, I don't want them to get rid of Danilo Gallinari. Felton has been great this year but if the management thinks Toney Douglas can take over then you have to trust them. Look for the Knicks to try and force the Nugs to take Eddy Curry in the trade because his contract is ridiculous. I pray that NY doesn't give up another first round pick. Years and years ago they screwed themselves by trading picks years into the future and they are just getting past those drafts. If the Knicks can get Melo, keep Gallinari, Landry Fields and their first round pick it should be a good trade for New York.

I'll update if there are any deals worth noting.

Rodgers That