The Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks trade talks are reportedly heating up again with reports that Knicks owner James Dolan has become personally involved in the negotiations.
According to the New York Daily News:
Dolan's decision to become more involved in the Anthony trade talks is a sign that the Knicks are closing in on a deal for the All-Star forward.
The Daily News also speculates that Dolan's direct involvement in talks with Denver Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke could mean he is getting advice from former Knicks coach/GM Isiah Thomas, and wonders if it will have any impact on the future of General Manager Donnie Walsh, whose contract option must be exercised by April 30.
Regardless of all of that, the perspective here is that Knicks fans should be ecstatic about the possible acquisition of Anthony, a four-time All-Star forward with averages of 24.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game over his eight-year career.
The Knicks have had a nice turnaround season. They appear headed for their first playoff berth since the 2003-2004 season and could end up with their first winning record since going 48-34 in the 2000-2001 season. At 26-24, though, the Knicks are not a title contender. A nice team, sure, but not an upper echelon one. Anthony would give them a second star player to pair with Amare Stoudemire, and bring them that much closer to being on par with the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference.
There have been reports of a three-team deal being worked on between the Knicks, Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Anthony, of course, cannot be a free agent until after the 2011-2012 season and wants a contract extension from the Knicks or any other team that trades for him.
The trade deadline is Feb. 24.