New York Knicks Can Build Champion Without Trading For Carmelo Anthony

As reported here, the New York Knicks recently offered a package for Denver Nuggets superstar Carmelo Anthony that included Landry Fields, Wilson Chandler and a future first-round draft pick.

However, the Nuggets front office declined the proposal, leaving Knicks president of basketball operations Donnie Walsh no other option but to sweeten the deal if Anthony is to don a Knicks jersey this season.

The most obvious question is why the Knicks, or any other NBA team for that matter, would aggressively pursue a trade for the three-time All-Star, who has made it abundantly clear he wants to play in New York when he becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

"That's like the ultimate dream at the end of the day," Anthony, a Brooklyn native, said in an interview with ESPN. "Who wouldn't want to go back home to play?”

So the Knicks’ willingness to part with a promising rookie in Fields, the top rebounding guard in the league, and a budding star in Chandler (16.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg) to acquire ‘Melo just doesn’t add up.

Wouldn’t it make more sense for the Knicks to sign Anthony as a free agent, to play with Fields and Chandler, as well as Raymond Felton (17.5 ppg, 8.7 apg), Danilo Gallinari (15.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and Amar’e Stoudemire (26.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg)?

The NBA’s precarious labor situation could result in Anthony leaving a significant amount of money on the table in the aforementioned scenario. Nevertheless, playing in the league’s largest media market, Anthony, who’s averaging 23.5 points and eight rebounds per game this season, would more than make up for the difference in endorsements.

If Anthony is willing to sacrifice up-front money for the greater good of his future team, the Knicks could bring another player into the fold to instantly transform New York into championship contenders next season.

With the addition of Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (9.3 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.25 blkpg), an unrestricted free agent this summer, New York would have the rebounding and shot-blocking presence that would allow Stoudemire to play a natural power forward.

That said, head coach Mike D’Antoni could potentially roll out a starting rotation comprised of Felton (PG), Fields (SG), Anthony (SF), Stoudemire (PF) and Tyson Chandler (C), with capable reserves in Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Toney Douglas, Bill Walker, Shawne Williams and Ronny Turiaf.

Like the Jackson 5 classic tune declared, it’s as easy as 1-2-3, but the Knicks appear insistent on turning this situation into a complicated algebraic equation.

To reiterate, New York is Anthony’s preferred playing destination, and he’s an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Therefore, since the Knicks have the high ground, why are they in a rush to mortgage their future to bring a superstar into town this season that they can sign in July while keeping the current roster intact?

Mikhail Prokhorov got hip to the game when he broke off negotiations for a blockbuster deal that would have sent ‘Melo to the New Jersey Nets.

When will Donnie Walsh finally wise up and follow suit?

The Nuggets may act like they’re holding all the cards in the Car-Melodrama, but if the Knicks call Denver’s bluff the whole pot will come to the Big Apple, and so will the franchise’s first championship in nearly 40 years.

Do the math.

Click here to read the original article at SportsHaze.com.

Denver Nuggets Reject Knicks' Offer for Carmelo Anthony

When billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov slammed the door on a blockbuster deal that would have sent Carmelo Anthony to the New Jersey Nets, the New York Knicks emerged as the favorites to land the Denver Nuggets superstar small forward.

And Knicks president of basketball operations Donnie Walsh didn’t waste any time in pressing their advantage, as Anthony has publicly expressed that New York is his preferred playing destination.

According to ESPN 1050 Radio, the Knicks offered Landry Fields, Wilson Chandler and a first-round draft pick to the Nuggets for Anthony, who’s averaging 23.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game this season.

The first-round draft pick the Knicks included in the proposed trade has yet to be acquired, but a rumored deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves for power forward Anthony Randolph is likely to yield the pick New York placed on the bargaining table.

Nevertheless, the Knicks will have to go back to the drawing board, because Denver’s front office rejected the latest offer for their highly sought-after three-time All-Star.

This begs the question of exactly what combination of players and draft picks it will take for New York to consummate a trade with Denver.

Fields, a second-round pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, is averaging 10.1 points per game, shooting 38.5 percent from three-point range and leads all guards in rebounding (7.4), opening many eyes around the NBA to his high basketball IQ and willingness to put the team ahead of individual accomplishments.

In his fourth year in the NBA, Chandler is on the cusp of stardom, averaging career highs in points (17.4), rebounds (6.3), blocks (1.40) and three-point shooting percentage (35.3 percent).

As a result, Chandler’s tremendous promise will be a valuable selling point for Donnie Walsh in future negotiations with the Nuggets.

So although the Knicks failed to entice the Nuggets in this round of negotiations, it appears only a matter of time before the Car-Melodrama finally ends and Anthony is playing in front of a capacity crowd at Madison Square Garden, right alongside five-time All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire.

Click here to read the original article at SportsHaze.com.