After months and months of trade speculation the deal has been done. The New York Knicks have sold their soul for 4 time all-star, Carmelo Anthony. Denver acquired Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks' 2014 first-round draft pick, the Warriors' 2012 second-round draft pick, the Warriors' 2013 second-round draft pick and $3 million for, Anthony accompanied by Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman and former Finals MVP and all-star point guard, Chauncey Billups.
Was it worth it for Denver? Absolutely. They were in all probability going to lose him to free agency anyway, and they got 3 great role players and a bunch of draft picks to build on. Sure none of those players are of equal value to 'Melo, but hey, it's better than nothing.
Was it worth it for New York? Probably. Melo makes Gallinari expendable as far as a perimeter threat goes. Raymond Felton was having an outstanding season thanks to D'Antoni. I am interested to see how the aging Billups will do in that system but he's not their future at point-guard. There's been speculation that Chris Paul and Derron Williams will be in N.Y. in 2012, but you can't bank on them. Aaron Brooks is a very talented young point guard and a restricted free agent this summer if they don't want to wait for Paul they could sign him and D'Antoni could make him an all-star. Chauncey can keep up till the talented 2012 free agency. However, they can't count on a big signing in 2 years. They did that with LeBron and we all know how that went. Last summer is exactly why New York went through with the trade. Could they have kept their role players and gotten 'Melo? Probably, but they were not going to let another superstar swingman slip through their fingers.
This obviously will make the Knicks better, but it does not make them a contender. The trio of Billups, Stoudemire and Anthony will likely be an offensive juggernaut in Mike D'Antoni's run-and-gun system, this could be the 2000's Suns all over again. However offense was never the primary concern for the Knicks, it never is for D'Antoni's teams. They are always top 3 in offense, bottom 3 in defense. You cannot expect to win a championship like that. Anthony and Stoudemire are prototypical D'Antoni players, high octane offense with a silent defense. They will always be in the mix, but the top 3 teams in the East are also the top 3 defensive teams in the league and are just as offensively talented. The Celtics don't have much time left but that still leaves the Bulls and Heat. Orlando will always be a strong team with Dwight. Unless D'Antonio adjusts his system, he will never win a championship. Well.. if they get Chris Paul or Derron Williams that might just be too much offense for any opposing team to handle, I would love to see what D'Antoni's offense would do with tremendous talents like that of Paul and Williams at point. Even as a New Englander who was bred to despise any team that calls NYC home, I am excited for this.
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