The New York Daily News is reporting that Carmelo Anthony could have become a member of the New York Knicks on Monday -- if the Knicks were willing to basically gut their roster.
Per the Daily News, the Denver Nuggets' current asking price for the All-Star forward is Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, another starter not named Amare Stoudemire (which probably means Landry Fields or Wilson Chandler), Eddy Curry's expiring contract and a first-round draft pick.
I am on record stating that the Knicks have put themselves in a position where they need Anthony if they want to join the ranks of the NBA's elite teams. I wrote that the Knicks "need to make the deal. Whatever the cost." But, this cost? Even I did not anticipate that the price would be THAT high. Three starters plus a No. 1 pick? That's crazy talk.
Scary thing is, Knicks owner James Dolan might just pay it.
It is believed that [GM Donnie] Walsh and [Coach] 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 trade deadline is Feb. 24. Let's see which side blinks.
How do you feel about this proposal, Knicks fans? Should the Knicks just pay the price now? Should they take this down to the deadline and only make the deal if Denver drops the asking price? Should they just pass on any trade at this point and take their chances on being able to sign Anthony as a free agent this summer? Should they just forget about Anthony entirely and build with what they have?