Carmelo, Rip Hamilton, and Chauncey Billups together? Wow!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-netspistonstalks010711

I'd play for that Russian dude in a SECOND. He's going to end up dominating the NBA. It might take him a year or two to figure it out, but that cat is a major league winner.

It would be interesting to see the Nets land Carmelo, Rip, and Billups. It would all

of a sudden make the Atlantic Division a little more interesting starting next season.

I wish Philly would come to the party.

This is highway robbery. We need a second superstar to team with Amar'e, but not at this price:

DENVER - The Knicks remain very much in the hunt for Carmelo Anthony mostly because New York remains the Denver Nuggets All-Star forward's preferred destination.

A person familiar with the negotiations told the Daily News that talks between the Nuggets and Knicks are ongoing and classified the possibility of a deal with New York at "50-50."

"He'd like to play in New York," said the source, who requested anonymity. "But I don't see anything happening soon."

In order for the Knicks to acquire Anthony, team president Donnie Walsh would have to acquire at least one first-round pick to include in the deal.

The Nets can offer Denver the best package because they have multiple first-round picks.

The dilemma for the Knicks is whether or not to gut their roster for a player they could sign as a free agent after July 1. A deal for Anthony would likely have to include two of these three starters -- Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Landry Fields -- plus Eddy Curry's expiring contract and at least one first-round pick. The Knicks may also have to take on a player with a long-term contract. Al Harrington could be that player.

The Nets are in serious negotiations to complete a deal for Anthony, but the source indicated that no trade is imminent.

As for whether Anthony would sign a three-year, $65 million extension to play for the Nets, the source said "it hasn't gotten to that point yet.

"He's willing to listen to them if he gets close."

Amar'e Stoudemire recently said that he doesn't think the Knicks "need much" to become a contender. In fact, he said on Monday that the team has the pieces to possibly reach the conference finals.

At least one of Stoudemire's former teammates in Phoenix believes that Stoudemire wouldn't be thrilled about adding Anthony while Stoudemire contends that he'd be in favor of adding a superstar.

Anthony was quoted on Monday saying that the Knicks may not want him because they don't want to disrupt their chemistry.

The Knicks are 21-15 heading into Tuesday night's game against the Blazers and are in position to post their first winning season in 10 years.

"Everybody is happy with the team we have and what we're doing," Gallinari said. "We have to control what we can control. We can't worry about what happens on the outside."

I read this article on NBA.com a...nutes ago. It's a good read, but it's long and complicated. What it breaks down to is this...

To Denver: Favors, Stephen Graham, Harris, Morrow, Ben Uzoh and Quinton Ross

To Detroit: Murphy and Petro

To New Jersey: Anthony, Billups, Anthony Carter, Hamilton and Shelden Williams

However, according to this article (and two others I read today) it all hinges on Carmelo being willing to sign the three year extension with the Nets. If he signs a three year extension with the Nets he clearly won't be playing for the Knicks anytime soon.

Edit: Sign the deal, not sing it.

[Edited 1/13/11 15:08pm]

Knicks reach out to Grizzlies;

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=6019859