Filed under: Knicks, Suns, NBA Rumors

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After a successful 2009-10 campaign as the team’s sixth man, Harrington hoped that he would stick around to play alongside the likes of LeBron James and Chris Bosh to finally bring a winning mentality back to New York City basketball.

Instead, the New Jersey native was told he was no longer in the Knicks' plans. Harrington’s rights were renounced as the team signed players like Amar'e Stoudemire, Raymond Felton and Timofey Mozgov.

No help to Harrington this past summer was his special relationship with Knicks President Donnie Walsh, who has acquired Harrington a total of three times. After drafting Harrington out of high school with the Pacers, Walsh reacquired him for a second run with the Pacers after previously trading him away. Finally, Walsh traded for Harrington once more with the Knicks.

Despite appearing like the kind of player Coach Mike D’Antoni would favor in his system (Harrington is a lengthy forward who can play multiple positions, run the floor and shoot the long ball), the two never seemed to build a positive rapport.

"The writing was on the wall," said Harrington. "I wasn't his type of player. I know there were some people who didn't want me there, some who did but the coach didn't."

Perhaps it was Harrington’s sometimes erratic shooting or his less than stellar defense (some may wonder when that’s ever stopped D’Antoni from playing someone) that worked against him, but in any event, Harrington was still rewarded for his near "Sixth Man of the Year" season, signing a five-year deal worth approximately $33.4 million with the Nuggets.

Denver has seemed to use Harrington’s plentiful skill set to its advantage. In addition to letting him shoot the three ball, the Nuggets are using Harrington more often under the basket as a post player, where he has been able to capitalize on easy hoops and fight for rebounds.

With their big men Kenyon Martin and Chris Andersen nursing injuries, Harrington has had to play a fair amount of time at center but has yet to disappoint. After scorching his former team for 22 points in just 21 minutes during the Nuggets' 120-118 win over the Knicks Tuesday night, Harrington is averaging 14.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game thus far.

While he hoped to play with multiple superstars in New York this season, Harrington has instead joined forces with another major star in Carmelo Anthony. Although he’s getting tired of the Melo-to-Knicks rumors, Harrington has made it no secret that he has had conversations with Anthony about his time in New York, which could work against the Knicks.

It’s possible that Harrington praised the professionalism of Knicks management (Donnie Walsh), but then again, he is also almost sure to recount his turbulent relationship with the Knicks coaching staff.

Harrington would not reveal what exactly he has addressed with Anthony regarding New York, just simply that such conversations have already occurred. He did mention, however, that he felt as though Danilo Gallinari was given favored star treatment by Knicks brass, which led to tension in the locker room.

Although Harrington praised Gallo for not letting the immense praise go to his head, he certainly won’t let that stop him from attempting to convince Anthony to stay with the Nuggets.

If Harrington and the Nuggets can play well enough to stay in contention for the NBA title, perhaps they can convince Anthony to stay. Currently, the Knicks are not proving to be in contention for anything more than the NBA Draft Lottery.

Despite experiencing those same types of struggles during his two seasons in New York, Harrington wanted to show loyalty and was willing to stay in New York until the team finally found success.

Instead, he has already seemingly found success elsewhere as the Knicks still struggle to get wins.

For Keith's Knicks coverage and much more, visit Knicks Journal.

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Filed under: Knicks, Nuggets, NBA Rumors

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Oh how things change in professional sports.

One minute, it seems that the New York Knicks were sure to form their own "big-three" in the big apple.

The next, well a third of that big three could be headed to Minnesota.

Or New Jersey.

Or even Sacramento.

But hey, that could all change in an instant.

It seems that the Denver Nuggets and Carmelo Anthony are ready to part ways and that is something that has been evident for just over two weeks.

So what if that actually happens? What if Carmelo ends up in Brooklyn, Minnesota, or Sacramento?

Will he Stay There Past His Contract?

It really depends.

I'm almost certain that Carmelo wouldn't want to spend more than two years in chilly Minnesota. But Sacramento and New Jersey are two completely different tales.

Sacramento has the big market feel, even though they play the role of younger brother to the other Californian Sports teams, most notably the Los Angeles Lakers.

New Jersey is a fairly big market and will become bigger when they complete their move to New Jersey. Still, it is an organization that plays second fiddle to other big sports organizations.

Both teams have a young nucleus built with proven players, but both have also had a difficult time winning.

I'm sure that if the Nets start winning after they get Carmelo or the Kings start winning with Carmelo, then Melo would have a much more difficult time changing teams at the end of his contract.

But it really all depends on success.

What Would Each Team Have To Give up To Get the All-Star?

Let's start with the Nets.

Right now, The Nets have a variety of role players that they could offer.

They also have a guy named Derrick Favors that would be very enticing for the Nuggets.

Although I don't believe the Nets would give up their future power forward for a guy that could bolt in two years.

Right now, the Nets could send Travis Outlaw, Terrence Williams, Troy Murphy, and a first round draft pick to Denver in exchange for Carmelo Anthony.

The salaries meet up fairly well and the prospects the Nuggets get in exchange for a disgruntled superstar.

The Nets wouldn't have to blow up their entire team to acquire a player that may not be on for the long haul either.

It could potentially be a win-win.

But if I were part of the Nets organization, the only player that I would put off limits would be Brook Lopez. Devin Harris is a health liability and can't shoot the three ball either.

You try to keep him, but if the Nuggets want him in return for Carmelo, well then you have to pull the trigger.

Everything in the NBA depends on the price of the risk, and this scenario is no exception.

The Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves look as if they have no leadership whatsoever, gathering talent just because it is available, hoping that eventually they get lucky with one big hit.

and you know what, Kahn may have just struck gold through a series of dumb luck.

If I am the Nuggets, I want Wesley Johnson, Corey Brewer, and Martell Webster.

I would also ask for a first round draft pick along with a future draft selection and a trade exception to even out the salaries.

The Timberwolves would likely have to clear out their small forward prospects and then add in their first round selections because the Nuggets are going to want replacements and then young talent to build off of in the future.

The only way I pull the trigger is if I am able to get Carmelo to sign an extension (in a different kind of sign and trade scenario) before I give up my teams future.

That is unlikely because I am sure Carmelo doesn't want to go to Minnesota.

But right now, the Nuggets hold all of the cards.

The Sacramento Kings

Tyreke Evans is off limits.

and DeMarcus Cousins is almost off limits.

After that, the Kings can afford to give up just about anyone.

If I'm the Nuggets, I want Omri Casspi, Jason Thompson, and Hassan Whiteside. But I have a feeling that the Kings aren't going to want to give up their entire front line.

Therefore, the Kings would still have to give Casspi (a fan favorite) and Hassan Whiteside in a deal, but I think that Jason Thompson would be retained.

My first deal off the table would include Carl Landry, Omri Casspi, Donte Greene, (insert role player), and a first round draft selection for Carmelo Anthony.

If the Nuggets want Hassan Whiteside, then you have to oblige. But until they demand him, you have to try hard to keep him on your roster.

Heck, since the Nuggets are trying to get rid of J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin, they are going to want serviceable replacements.

Carl Landry is the replacement for Martin.

Francisco Garcia could be a replacement for J.R. Smith.

Then Omri Casspi and Donte Green would have to replace Carmelo Anthony.

It isn't the perfect situation for the Denver Nuggets, and nor is it the perfect situation for the Sacramento Kings, but they both get what they want in the long run.

The Nuggets would get young talent and draft picks, while acquiring replacements for the players they lose.

Sacramento gets the player that will put them over the top, instantly making them a playoff team.

My proposed deal is a little rough around the edges and would need to include draft rights, cash considerations, and trade exceptions, but the skeleton is there.

The Nuggets and Kings could also opt for a sign and trade deal, making it even more difficult to figure.

Trade Rumors are difficult to decipher. Some are true, but most are false.

If the Nuggets are indeed trying to trade Carmelo Anthony to one of these three teams, then I believe their trades would have to look something like what I laid out.

But again, they are trade rumors.

and nothing is set in stone.

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Well, It wont be as pretty as many hope.

and I have a feeling that Knicks fans will see a 2011 NBA season that resembles that of last season.

Sure, the Knicks were players in the offseason, acquiring Amar'e Stoudemire, Raymond Felton, Anthony Randolph, Timofey Mozgov, Kelenna Azubuike, Ronny Turiaf through trades and free agency.

But they also lost a big portion of last years team and last years team was nothing special. 

David Lee was sent to Golden State for Randolph, Azubuike, and Turiaf and the team also lost Forward Al Harrington to the Denver Nuggets.

Between the two, Lee and Harrington, they lost 37.9 points and 17.3 rebounds of their team.

But their off-season pick ups completely recoup their losses.

and in that, it is fair to say that they have improved.

But it may not be enough to make the playoffs.

Add Carmelo to that mix and you have yourselves a completely different team.

But that isn't even close to a given, considering the Nuggets still own the rights to the basketball star.

So what happens if Carmelo doesn't come to the Knicks?

Well, Knicks fans are going to be very unhappy with their lack of success. My guess is that Amare Stoudemire would take the brunt of that criticism and that would make for a situation that could turn really ugly, really fast.

Right now, the Knicks just don't have the assets to pull off a blockbuster deal and as of recently, the focus has veered off of New York as the best trade partner, or most likely trade partner in a Carmelo deal.

Really, the whole thing looks a lot less likely all together.

Houston and the Magic seem to be the most alluring trade partners, but I mean, would the Nuggets really be willing to trade to anther Western Conference team? I don't think so.

The other option (for the Denver Nuggets) would be to configure a trade with the Orlando Magic.

They have the pieces, they have the draft picks, and they are outside of the Western conference.

If a trade including Carmelo doesn't involve New York, the Knicks will have an awfully difficult time telling the fans why they missed out on LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Carmelo Anthony all in one offseason.

Ouch.

Amare is a good player, but he isn't a superstar.

He isn't going to create 20 wins by himself and I don't think that Felton, Randolph, and Azubuike are going to push them over the hump either.

As it stands, I see the Knicks either barely edging their way into the Playoffs or missing them entirely. The 8th seed playoff team in the east will need 40 wins at least, so the Knicks are going to need an 11 win improvement (at the very least).

That is plausible, but I wouldn't bet on it quite yet since New York has really addressed their needs very well this offseason.

They got a point guard that can run an uptempo system.

They signed a forward that can move well, play offense well, but isn't a great defender.

After that, what are the Knicks?

They are a shooting team.

and that is something that fits D'antoni's system very well. But what is missing from this Knicks team that was present in the Run and gun Phoenix rosters, is the depth.

The Suns of old had veterans like Kurt Thomas that could come off the bench, big men like Boris Diaw that could do a little of everything, and even a defensive stopper like Raja Bell or even a young Shawn Marion.

Hear that? 

You need to be able to play defense if you want to be successful.

Do you see any signs of defense on the 2011 New York Knicks? I don't.

You can always remedy not enough defense with an injection of superstar offensive talent.

If Carmelo Anthony doesn't get traded to the New York Knicks, a disappointing season is written on the wall.

How disappointing? Well I cannot be too sure. But Adding Carmelo Anthony would be good way to fix that.

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His continued apprehension in signing an extension with the Nuggets has left the door open for the New York Knicks to believe just that.

Here we go again Knick fans.

Another year of speculating, of wondering and wishing, but this time it could happen. This time, the Knicks could possibly get their guy. Carmelo can opt out of his contract next summer and become a free agent. He has expressed an interest in joining Amar'e Stoudemire and the Knicks.

The Nuggets have offered him a three-year, $65 million dollar extension, but he has not signed yet. Every day that Carmelo Anthony holds out on signing an extension with the Nuggets, is another day that Knick fans are left dreaming.

“I’m just taking time with it,” says Anthony, when asked about his future with the Nuggets. “I have to do what’s best for me and my family.”

A family that now includes a wife, who happens to be a native New Yorker.

Anthony’s hesitation could also have something to do with the uncertainties surrounding the Denver organization, mainly the health of head coach George Karl, who is recovering from throat cancer.

There is also some questions about the depth of their frontline. Nene and Kenyon Martin are both injury prone, and the biggest name that they have signed ironically is ex-Knick, Al Harrington.

Carmelo is familiar with playing in New York, and at the Garden. He played his college ball at Syracuse University, which is just four hours away. As a freshman, he led the Orange to the NCAA championship title.

At 6’8, 228lbs, Carmelo is a clutch player that can shoot the outside shot, put the ball on the floor, and drive to the basket. While he is not known for his defense, he is the type of player that would be a good fit for Mike D’Antoni’s system, one that features limited defense and a high potent offense.

A tandem of Carmelo and Amar’e would bring the life back into a quiet Garden that hasn’t had this kind of excitement since the days of Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley and John Starks.

Stoudemire wasted no time in reaching out to other free agents, especially Anthony.

“I’ve talked to Carmelo Anthony about coming out here. He is ready to join me,” said Stoudemire.

With the signing of Amar’e Stoudemire this summer, the Knicks may have finally become attractive to other free agents. It is speculated that Tony Parker may also be interested in coming to the Knicks. Parker is a restricted free agent, which means that San Antonio can match any offer that the Knicks make.

Chris Paul has also shown some interest, but he does not become a free agent until 2012.

Many players over the years have expressed an interest in playing in New York, and never came, instead using the Knicks as a bargaining tool to get more money from their current teams. But the fact that Amar’e Stoudemire has taken a chance on New York, may open the door for more players to come.

It only takes one, and New York Knick fans are hoping Carmelo Anthony is that one.

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Filed under: Knicks, Mavericks, Nuggets, NBA Free Agents

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