The Knicks need to start building their own big three, right now.
Feb 15, 2011 - As SB Nation has been covering today, the New York Knicks have the ability to obtain Carmelo Anthony for Raymond Felton, Danillo Gallinari, another starter (likely Wilson Chandler), Eddy Curry's expiring contract (is that his full name now?), and a first-round pick in return for Anthony and Chauncey Billups.
The initial reaction of many has been that the price is too steep and the Knicks should walk away from the offer. However, the more you watch this team hover around .500 and the more you realize they are only four games away from not even being a playoff team in the East, the more you need to get on board with this deal.
Yes, Raymond Felton got off to a very strong start but there is no arguing his play has declined in the previous month, which has coincided with the Knicks being a 5-10 team in that period. Gallinari is young and has plenty of potential but believe it or not, you have to give up something to get somebody like Carmelo Anthony on your team. Wilson Chandler would likely be the third piece in the deal and that is fine because you have to part with his fragile self before you let Landry Fields go anywhere.
The approach of waiting until free agency is starting to seem like a crap-shoot, with Anthony now entertaining the thought of signing an extension in Denver. There is also a chance another team, Chicago, Dallas, or Houston jumps in at the last hour before the trade deadline and spends the next few months getting Anthony to pen a long term deal.
If you are the Knicks, you take Billups for the rest of the season, put Anthony with Amare Stoudemaire, Landry Fields, and your collection of bench players (Shawne Williams, Bill Walker, Ronny Turiaf, Toney Douglas) and hope to make some noise in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The younger players will gain some worthy experience, while Anthony and Stoudemire can get used to playing together in a big spot. After the season, you buy out Billups for $4 million instead of paying his ridiculous 2011 salary and play the waiting game for Chris Paul or Deron Williams, who should be counting the seconds until they could join Anthony and Stoudemire.
If this team ever wants to win a title in a conference shared with the Celtics, Heat, Magic, and Bulls it is going to take more than what they have now, way more. Felton is a nice player, but long term it is going to take a big three of Stoudemire, Anthony, and Paul or Williams supported by an ideal role player like Fields and a young bench that hopefully develops to knock off any of those powers.
6 comments
Comments
Eddy Curry's Expiring Contract
I think you’re right. That is his full name now. LOL!
by Ed Valentine on Feb 15, 2011 6:16 PM EST reply actions
No Way
Yes, Carmelo is a beast but to dismantle an etire roster makes no sense. If your NY you have to trade for CM15 right now. I woudnt risk him going to another team and then signing with them. Its like you lending your GF to your buddy and hoping she’s going to return.
Trading Raymond is not a good move considering that we dont have a legit PG for next season(Dont say Tony Douglas) If they do trade him, keep Billups for one season and then sign either CP3 or D. Williams. As far as Gallo, I love this kid. If you watched this kid from the beginning, he’s ecome so much better and tougher. He’s taking the ball to the rack, not afraid of contact, getting to the line, great FT shooter and 3pt shooter as well.
This is what I’ll give Denver"
Chandler-Eddy-1st round pick n Fields.
Fields is good not great. He’s a great rebounder, hustle type player but you can find guys like that in the NBA.
by AlRoBraves95 on Feb 15, 2011 6:56 PM EST up reply actions
Carmelo Trade
It seems like the same deal as far as players that the Knicks were willing to make a few weeks back. What is the real difference? No Timberwolves? Raymond Felton?We were getting Carmelo alone before. OK now we throw in Felton and get Billips. Not so bad anyway. Billups is a proven winner in the playoffs. Either way we keep Fields or Chandler. I will take my chances with Carmelo. Come on do you really think the Knicks will quit improving their team once they get Carmelo? When you think of the line-up does Galinari excite you more than saying Carmelo is starting tonight? Make the deal!
by nammys on Feb 15, 2011 7:09 PM EST reply actions
Denver starts negotiations high.
No big deal the Knicks have plenty of time to talk down the price.
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by Gelatin on Feb 15, 2011 7:25 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Agree with Joe
Make the deal! (If not for selfish reasons on wanting to see Melo in NY!)
Get busy living or get busy dying.
by Jared Smith on Feb 15, 2011 8:41 PM EST reply actions
the "other starter" is Landry Fields
Since Mozgov regained the starting C spot, Wilson Chandler has been moved to the bench.
And STAT/Melo/Felton would be a pretty good big 3. If Melo comes there will be no money for D-Will or CP3 unless they gut the roster to trade for one of them as well. So it’d be the “big 3” plus a bunch of D-Leaguers and has-beens.
by Taylor Made on Feb 16, 2011 8:58 AM EST reply actions
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