New York Knicks still in the hunt for Carmelo Anthony
The New York Knicks have participated in significant talks with the Denver Nuggets in their ongoing efforts to acquire the services of Carmelo Anthony, a source told ESPN.com Tuesday.
The Knicks have made considerable progress in their pursuit of Anthony, who has made clear in the past that New York is his preferred destination.
After a four-team trade, that would have sent Anthony to the New Jersey Nets, fell through late last month, the Anthony trade talks have heated up again in recent days. Last month’s deal
also involved the Utah Jazz and the Charlotte Bobcats. Anthony has had a three-year contract extension worth $65 million with the Nuggets on the table for some time now but is yet to sign it.
The offer the Knicks could put together for Anthony, a three-time All-Star, have always included 21-year-old power forward Anthony Randolph, centre Eddie Curry, and a first-round draft
pick the Knicks would need to acquire from a third team. One of the reasons for the renewed talks between the two teams seems to be the Knicks' new willingness to possibly include Italian three-point specialist Danilo Gallinari, who has struggled so far in
the pre-season, in the deal.
According to the source, one hitch could be the Knicks ability to get their hands on a player, through trading either Randolph or Curry, that the Nuggets would be interested in acquiring.
The Chicago Bulls also remain a player in the Anthony sweepstakes, according to the source, although their recent contract extension with centre Joakim Noah, whom the Nuggets coveted,
means he wouldn’t be included in any deal.
The New Jersey Nets remain a possible destination for Anthony but their unwillingness to part with rookie Derrick Favors, last summer’s third overall draft pick, may hurt their chances.
Since failing to acquire a marquee free-agent this summer, like a LeBron James or a Chris Bosh, who both signed with Miami, the Knicks have had their sights set on Anthony, who would play
alongside another All-Star in Amar’e Stoudemire, whom the Knicks acquired this summer. Stoudemire and Anthony are the current league leaders in pre-season scoring, with Stoudemire averaging 26 points a game while Anthony has scored 23.5 per game.
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