Knicks unwilling to meet Denver's trade demands

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Carmelo Anthony available, but Knicks balk at request for Gallinari, Felton, starter, Curry, pick

BY FRANK ISOLA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Carmelo Anthony could have been a Knick Monday if only team president Donnie Walsh were willing to meet Denver's trade demands, which one team official classified as "steep."

According to a team source close to the negotiations, "there is a deal to be made" but whether Anthony joins forces with Amar'e Stoudemire in New York between Tuesday and the Feb. 24 trade deadline likely comes down to the Nuggets either lowering their asking price or the Knicks turning over their roster to acquire one of the NBA's top players.

The Nuggets, according to a source, are asking for three starters - including Danilo Gallinari and Raymond Felton - plus Eddy Curry's expiring contract and at least one first-round pick. In that proposed deal, Anthony and veteran point guard Chauncey Billups would be coming to the Knicks.

It is believed that Walsh and Mike D'Antoni feel the team would be giving up too much. Garden chairman James Dolan has had direct involvement in the negotiations and may ultimately overrule his basketball staff.

The teams have nine days to play their game of chicken and the Knicks continue to debate if they should trade for Anthony now or take their chances on signing him as a free agent this summer.

Anthony has made it known that New York is his top choice. If the Knicks and Denver can't agree to a deal, that could open the door for another team to acquire him. Even if Anthony becomes a free agent, the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement could potentially make it easier for Denver to retain its franchise player.

The Nuggets are focusing on two teams - the Knicks and Chicago Bulls - because Anthony is willing to sign a contract extension with those clubs. Houston and Dallas remain outside possibilities while the Nets are the wild card.

Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov last month declared that his team was no longer pursuing Anthony and yet New Jersey has two first-round picks to entice Denver with.

Anthony was to meet Prokhorov on Jan. 20, but the session was called off after the Russian held his infamous press conference one day earlier.

Until the Bulls are willing to include Joakim Noah in a deal - which they're not - Chicago's talks with Denver aren't going anywhere.

Denver's interest in Felton isn't that surprising. He played under George Karl's long-time friend, Larry Brown, at Charlotte for two seasons and is eight years younger than Billups. However, Billups' $14 million salary for the 2011-12 season is a team option. If the team doesn't exercise that option, Billups receives a buyout worth approximately $4 million.

Felton appears to be unsettled by the trade talk and said on Friday he agreed with D'Antoni's theory that it is having an adverse affect on the team. Following Monday's practice in Greenburgh, Felton sat on the court and spoke to teammates Wilson Chandler and Bill Walker for approximately 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, Gallinari did not practice Monday and is bothered by a sore knee. It appears to be a legitimate injury but players who don't want to be traded have a history of coming down with sudden leg ailments.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2011/02/15/2011-02-15_carmelo_anthony_available_but_knicks_balk_at_re quest_for_gallinari_felton_starte.html#ixzz1E38DwI qy

[sefant77]

I hope the Nuggets crash down to earth when he walks away for nothing

[Killakobe81]

dummies. Gallo, Chandler, Curry, #1 pick and Felton is fair compensation ...
Knicks would not be able to keep all those guys AND sign a marquee free agent anyway ...
Chandler's deal expires this season and Felton and Gallo have two years left ...

Sure it locks them in for this year and next with Melo (with extension) and Amare and spare parts ...but if they can Keep Fields that is a steal.

[Killakobe81]

PG Chauncey
SG Fields
SF Melo
PF Amare
C Turiaf/Mozgof(?)

sure the depth sucks ...and they STILL are not as good as Boston, Chicago and the heat ...
But right now they are not as good as ORLando, ATL, and lately barely above Philly ...

[cheguevara]

so basically giving up all their core players except for amare for Melodrama?

[monosylab1k]

why the hell would NY trade all that when they're going to get him in free agency and give up nobody?

[benefactor]

why the hell would NY trade all that when they're going to get him in free agency and give up nobody?
They won't...which is why they are balking. Denver would be foolish to let him walk for free and NY knows this. They will wait Denver out and eventually the Nuggets will cave to a smaller deal.

[Rummpd]

Tough call actually what if he does say adios and signs with another team. They are also dumping Chandler and all that salary.

[Cry Havoc]

They won't...which is why they are balking. Denver would be foolish to let him walk for free and NY knows this. They will wait Denver out and eventually the Nuggets will cave to a smaller deal.

This.

There just aren't enough teams in the NBA right now that can put together a realistic package for Melo. And of the ones that can, not all of them want to because of how much they would have to give up.

New York is playing this very slowly, because they know the Nuggets can't afford to just keep him this year and end up with nothing.

Denver will probably end up dropping the first pick from the list, and New York will pull the trigger. That, or they'll take their chances this off-season.

TBH, the Nuggets have the potential to come out of this deal with one of the best rosters in the NBA if they can somehow manage to sign a big name free agent to fill Melo's scoring role. They're a good, very young defensive team with a lot of pieces. I wonder what they could get for JR Smith? He's worth dangling out there to try to get someone with higher BBIQ, IMO.

[Ghazi]

Melo to Dallas

[sefant77]

dummies. Gallo, Chandler, Curry, #1 pick and Felton is fair compensation ...
Knicks would not be able to keep all those guys AND sign a marquee free agent anyway ...
Chandler's deal expires this season and Felton and Gallo have two years left ...

Sure it locks them in for this year and next with Melo (with extension) and Amare and spare parts ...but if they can Keep Fields that is a steal.

They need Chandler or Gallo + Felton so CPee3 can pull an Anthony next season...

[baseline bum]

No way New York should do that deal. The Nuggets can keep Billups' washed-up ass.

[baseline bum]

They need Chandler or Gallo + Felton so CPee3 can pull an Anthony next season...

If they sign Anthony this offseason there's no way they can pressure New Orleans into trading them Paul.

[Killakobe81]

This.

There just aren't enough teams in the NBA right now that can put together a realistic package for Melo. And of the ones that can, not all of them want to because of how much they would have to give up.

New York is playing this very slowly, because they know the Nuggets can't afford to just keep him this year and end up with nothing.

Denver will probably end up dropping the first pick from the list, and New York will pull the trigger. That, or they'll take their chances this off-season.

TBH, the Nuggets have the potential to come out of this deal with one of the best rosters in the NBA if they can somehow manage to sign a big name free agent to fill Melo's scoring role. They're a good, very young defensive team with a lot of pieces. I wonder what they could get for JR Smith? He's worth dangling out there to try to get someone with higher BBIQ, IMO.


I dont think they are THAT good on defense. They have some good individual defenders (afflalo, and Kmart when healthy) but because of the low BBall IQ
of the team they make dumb mistakes constantly.

But I do agree if they keep Lawson, Affalo, Nene and can get rid of some of the excess baggage they would be cool. Chandler if healthy is solid on defense too (if included in a deal).

[jjktkk]

This.

There just aren't enough teams in the NBA right now that can put together a realistic package for Melo. And of the ones that can, not all of them want to because of how much they would have to give up.

New York is playing this very slowly, because they know the Nuggets can't afford to just keep him this year and end up with nothing.

Denver will probably end up dropping the first pick from the list, and New York will pull the trigger. That, or they'll take their chances this off-season.

TBH, the Nuggets have the potential to come out of this deal with one of the best rosters in the NBA if they can somehow manage to sign a big name free agent to fill Melo's scoring role. They're a good, very young defensive team with a lot of pieces. I wonder what they could get for JR Smith? He's worth dangling out there to try to get someone with higher BBIQ, IMO.

Smith's trade value is pretty low imo. Unless some team feels that they can bring out Smith's talent, who would want to give up anything substanial for that knucklehead?

[Chillen]

While Denver is at it why don't they contact the Heat front office and ask if they are willing to trade LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh for Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and Nene. Seriously, they want way to much in return for Melo and are at risk now of having him walk after this season. NY should just wait unless they will take less, he said he wants to sign there after this season.

[DJ Mbenga]

why doesnt dolan just throw the ownership in. since the nuggets want everything

[fo'shizzle]

fuck Denver! I hope Melo walks away this offseason and they end up with nothing, tbh

[crc21209]

And who's to say Chauncey would even wanna play in NY? It's been reported he doesnt wanna play anywhere but Denver...so the Knicks would give up Gallinari, Felton, and either Chandler/Fields for just Melo? I'm not so sure about this deal for NY....

[ElNono]

Gary Neal and Matt Bonner for Backwards Fighting Pussy Magazine collector... do it Mitch!

[Spur_Fanatic]

While Denver is at it why don't they contact the Heat front office and ask if they are willing to trade LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh for Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and Nene. Seriously, they want way to much in return for Melo and are at risk now of having him walk after this season. NY should just wait unless they will take less, he said he wants to sign there after this season.

Because Melo would prefer to be sent to NY now, before the new CBA kicks in. And because Denver may extend all trade taks till the last day possible, realize they have to take any deal on the table, and taht deal may not be include the Knicks.

I know it looks like that the Knicks have all the cards. But they don't. Nuggets can very well trade Melo virtually for crap to any other team still standing on the 18th (deadline is still the 18th?). Because at the end of the day, Nuggets won't do what's best for Melo (and they shoudn't), they'll do what's best for them. And crap is better than nothing.

Melo may very well end up somewhere else and, sure, sign up with the Knicks later. This is the best scenario for the Knicks, even though it's risky. They get a cheap Melo, under the new CBA. Too risky, though. Melo may now play for a team like the Mavs/Bulls/whatever, and like it there, and stay there, screwing the Knicks. Or stay in the Nuggets and change his mind.

Knicks should bite the bullet, negotiate with the Nuggets, and try to reach an agreement that will send Melo to the Knicks now, and not next season.

[Spur_Fanatic]

Nice FAQ here

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/john_schuhmann/02/10/deadline.faq/index.html

[Darthkiller]

Because Melo would prefer to be sent to NY now, before the new CBA kicks in. And because Denver may extend all trade taks till the last day possible, realize they have to take any deal on the table, and taht deal may not be include the Knicks.

I know it looks like that the Knicks have all the cards. But they don't. Nuggets can very well trade Melo virtually for crap to any other team still standing on the 18th (deadline is still the 18th?). Because at the end of the day, Nuggets won't do what's best for Melo (and they shoudn't), they'll do what's best for them. And crap is better than nothing.

Melo may very well end up somewhere else and, sure, sign up with the Knicks later. This is the best scenario for the Knicks, even though it's risky. They get a cheap Melo, under the new CBA. Too risky, though. Melo may now play for a team like the Mavs/Bulls/whatever, and like it there, and stay there, screwing the Knicks. Or stay in the Nuggets and change his mind.

Knicks should bite the bullet, negotiate with the Nuggets, and try to reach an agreement that will send Melo to the Knicks now, and not next season.

at the end of the day, the knicks and denver will settle for somehwere in the middle , i think something like Gallo+ Chandler+ Randolph+ 20 m saving(curry insurance contract) + pick should be good enough.

[Spur_Fanatic]

Isn't that the deal the Knicks just refused?

Anyway, I agree. Knicks will end up agreeing with a deal that will put Melo in Knicks uni in the next few days. Mind you, Melo is getting payed 17M this season. If he gets an extension now, and plays for that money in NY... that doesn't give much space for a 3rd star as the Knicks wanted...

[concken]

While Denver is at it why don't they contact the Heat front office and ask if they are willing to trade LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh for Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and Nene. Seriously, they want way to much in return for Melo and are at risk now of having him walk after this season. NY should just wait unless they will take less, he said he wants to sign there after this season.

It's not like Denver doesn't have a strategy. I'm sure someone like DAL or HOU will come along and agree to a slightly less outrageous trade proposal.

IMO, NY shouldn't be too picky about this shit. Free agency isn't necessarily in the bag with all these other prospects being thrown into the mix. They just can't bank of that.

[baseline bum]

I think it's going to end up something like Chandler + Curry + Randolph/1st if it happens. Denver thinking they're getting Felton and Gallinari in return is hilarious. These kind of trades are never close to being equal.

[concken]

Because Melo would prefer to be sent to NY now, before the new CBA kicks in. And because Denver may extend all trade taks till the last day possible, realize they have to take any deal on the table, and taht deal may not be include the Knicks.

I know it looks like that the Knicks have all the cards. But they don't. Nuggets can very well trade Melo virtually for crap to any other team still standing on the 18th (deadline is still the 18th?). Because at the end of the day, Nuggets won't do what's best for Melo (and they shoudn't), they'll do what's best for them. And crap is better than nothing.

Melo may very well end up somewhere else and, sure, sign up with the Knicks later. This is the best scenario for the Knicks, even though it's risky. They get a cheap Melo, under the new CBA. Too risky, though. Melo may now play for a team like the Mavs/Bulls/whatever, and like it there, and stay there, screwing the Knicks. Or stay in the Nuggets and change his mind.

Knicks should bite the bullet, negotiate with the Nuggets, and try to reach an agreement that will send Melo to the Knicks now, and not next season.

+1 as I mentioned above

[Seventyniner]

Denver doesn't owe Melo a damn thing. If the Knicks try to offer too little, the Nuggets will let Houston rent Melo for a few months and pick up a few pieces. If the Knicks want Melo right now, they aren't just bidding against themselves.

[Darthkiller]

Denver doesn't owe Melo a damn thing. If the Knicks try to offer too little, the Nuggets will let Houston rent Melo for a few months and pick up a few pieces. If the Knicks want Melo right now, they aren't just bidding against themselves.

what is houston going to offer that's going to be better than knicks package when they know Melo will not extend there especially if the rockets gut the team .

[rayjayjohnson]

when carmelo walks he's leaving behind a franchise that he himself has assfucked for the next 3 years. he's a c*nt and i can't wait for him to leave.

[LnGrrrR]

Who do the Nuggets think they are? The Lakers?

[Spur_Fanatic]

Nuggets won't give a shit that Melo doesn't like the Rockets.
If their deal is better than the Knicks, they'll take it.

Houston just has to offer more than the Knicks. At this point, Nuggets won't care in what conference Melo ends, as long as they get as much as possible. The Knicks can't backout and call at the last minute and offer crap, cause by then Nuggets may get better stuff from any other team, even if just a rent.

[Mel_13]

Everyone's playing chicken and Melo's the only one that's blinked so far (saying he may sign the extension if he's not traded by the deadline). I think it's entirely possible that Denver stands pat if their price isn't met. They'll just dare Melo to leave 83M on the table and take his chances with free agency under a new, more restrictive, CBA. I don't think he'll do it. He'll sign the extension and then Denver can trade him wherever they want.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/source_nuggets_want_knicks_and_deal_Ruwhn5zMP2Dib0 Uq72DAIM


The Nuggets have asked for all of the Knicks' best young prospects in a deal for Carmelo Anthony.

Denver is demanding Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Landry Fields, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov and a first-round pick (obtained by trading Anthony Randolph) in exchange for Anthony and Chauncey Billups.

"They want everything," a league source said. "The Knicks didn't even have to sit down and talk about that offer. It's not even logistically possible. They'd have two miserable stars with nothing around them."

"Maybe they [the Nuggets] just don't want to do it," the source said. "Didn't they do that with the Nets? When you keep asking for more until you say no, maybe you don't want to do it. Maybe they want to go to the playoffs with Anthony and call [Anthony's] bluff on June 30th."
Seriously, wtf is Denver thinking?

[DJ Mbenga]

this is like asking for 300k more than your house is worth before its foreclosed.

[JMarkJohns]

Outside of the Nets and the Lakers, I don't think the Knicks care if Denver trade Melo to any other team to spite them, as it's doubtful Anthony signs the extension, making hima FA the Knicks can outright sign-away in FA while keeping all their young pieces.

I'm not even sure they're worried about the Nets, and it sounds like the Lakers are holing on to Bynum for a run at Howard next year.

This leaves the Knicks holding all the cards. Take what we offer, or take a rental package and we get him anyways in the offseason.

Chandler, Randoph (or 1st from Randolph) maybe an additional NY 1st and Curry. That would be the take it or leave it package I'd imagine.

[Spur_Fanatic]

I don't see a franchise doing a bad deal with a 2nd frnachise just to spite and 3rd one.

Knicks can't wait:

1) Melo would sacrifice a lot of money to play in NY under the new CBA.
2) Melo could be rented somewhere else... and like it there. And stay there.
For example, Dallas or Chicago. If he wants to win a championship, they have a much better chance to do so on those teams.
3) Melo would go for the most ure thing, and extend with the Nuggets.

The onlyt thing Knicks have on their favour if location. Melo can be reall well marketed in NY, and compensate the contract loss with that. Is there any figure in what Amare makes now that he plays in NY?

[Bito Corleone]

dummies. Gallo, Chandler, Curry, #1 pick and Felton is fair compensation ...
True that it's probably fair, but if you were running a team and you knew you had no realistic shot at title this season (even with Melo) why would you give up all of that for a player that wants to come to your team in the offseason anyway?

[Muser]

I'm surprised a team hasn't traded for Randolph already, he's rotting away in New York.

[crc21209]

Denver's stupid. They should be happy with 2 out of those 5 and a pick...