After the signings of Landry Fields and Patrick Ewing Jr., their 2010-11 roster is pretty much set, and with a new and improved squad, the Knicks look like they are finally ready to compete for a playoff spot for the first time since the 2003-04 season.

However, there are still a number of moves which the team would like to make in order to propel them into championship contention—namely trades for Carmelo Anthony, Rudy Fernandez and a star caliber point guard.

But Donnie Walsh and the rest of the Knicks' front office must be careful in attempting to make any such moves, for all Knicks fans know what a bad trade can do to a franchise (i.e. trades for Antonio McDyess, Stephon Marbury and Eddy Curry).

Therefore, here are the three trade opportunities which the Knicks ought to consider in order to stay competitive now and in the future.

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1. New York City

Lebron James has said that he didn’t want the pressure of playing in New York. Carmelo has said that he wants to play in a big market and wouldn’t have any pressure on him. He went to Syracuse and got married in New York, as well.

2. Amar'e and Paul/Parker

Miami has three of the top 15 players in the NBA. Right now the Knicks have one. If Carmelo comes to the Knicks, that would make two. Then in 2011, Tony Parker will become a free agent, and in 2012, Chris Paul will be a free agent. Paul is a top 15 player, while Parker is a top 30. Either would fit and that would give them their own big three.

3. Madison Square Garden

I’ve been to MSG at least 30 times, going to Knick and Ranger games. People don’t lie when they say it’s the world's most famous arena. Great players have played in MSG, from Patrick Ewing to Mark Messier, to Wayne Gretzky to Walt Clyde Frazier. They played here and became famous. Carmelo would love to do the same.

4. Miami Heat

Everyone knows what has happened in South Beach this offseason. Every team in the NBA would love to beat them. He would have better chances of beating them in New York than with the Nuggets.

5. Up and Coming Western Conference

The Lakers have been the team to beat in the West since Kobe came to L.A. Now a lot of teams are going to be able to challenge them, like the Thunder, the Blazers, the Mavericks, the Rockets, and the Grizzlies. The East is getting harder, but there are less teams to worry about.

Obviously Carmelo will decide for what’s best for him, but according to me, New York is his future home. 

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A team source tells the paper that the deal would have had Anthony Randolph moving to the Indiana Pacers and a first-round pick from the Pacers to the Trail Blazers.

Follow Yahoo! Sports Rumors on Twitter at @markjmill.

They would encompass a new three in the league following the Celtics and Heat prior to them. I know many are scratching their heads at my belief that the Carmelo, Paul and Stoudemire team could win. If I had to put money on the line, let's be serious, I'm taking the Heat. That still doesn't mean a team can't beat another when they actually play.

Here I will present ten reasons at different strengths which could allow a Carmelo led squad to get the better of a Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James team. This is all assuming that Carmelo Anthony ends up with the Knicks alongside Amar'e Stoudemire and Chris Paul.

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We're all well aware of the red flags, and NBA GM's are apparently listening. As training camp soon approaches, the former MVP and future Hall of Famer is currently without a home. After a fiasco in Memphis and a short, strange return trip to Philly—well, its been an interesting year for Iverson to say the least. 

The rumors continue to swirl, as both the Magic and the Hornets seem to be in a permanent state of vacillation regarding the prospect of signing the former Hoya.

It has also been rumored that the Bermuda triangle of superstars, the Miami Heat, may be acquiring one more notch under their ruby-filled belt. 

Amidst the nebulous haze that usually hangs over the NBA rumor mill, there exists one team who I believe would benefit considerably from the services of this quasi-embattled veteran.

Call me crazy, but I think that Iverson and New York would be a perfect marriage. His arrival in MSG may not earn him a nickname as cool as St. Shaqtrick, but here are five reasons why the addition of Iverson could help bolster the Knickerbockers in a huge way.

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