By: Pedro Heizer
Carmelo Anthony is no longer a Denver Nugget.
The Nuggets traded Melo to the New York Knicks tonight, a league source told The Denver Post. Denver gets Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks 2014 first-round draft pick, the Warriors’ 2012 second-round pick, the Warriors’ 2013 second-round pick and $3 million in cash.
Anthony will go to New York, along with Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman.
Anthony was not at the Nuggets’ practice as the team resumed workouts following the All-Star break. Billups left the team’s Monday practice without speaking to reporters.
Nuggets coach George Karl, after learning of the trade, said: “I’m glad its over.”
Anthony has been the subject of trade talks ever since he declined to sign a three-year, $65 million extension with the Nuggets last summer. His biggest pursuers were the Knicks and New Jersey Nets.
What does this mean for the Miami HEAT? Well, for starters it means the HEAT/Knicks rivalry of old can be renewed with both teams having such a star-studded team.
Will New York make a string push to win the east now? I still don’t think so. New York traded their entire team and then some to land Carmelo. How can they gel now with only 30 games left is remained to be seen. It took Miami an entire first half to gel so let’s just wait and see how New York does it.
Another thing, the February 27 matchup in Miami versus the Knicks will now be one of the hottest tickets in town, so get them while you can HEAT fans.
I’m excited to finally have the whole Carmelo Anthony drama solved. Now it’s time for him to get back to playing basketball.