NBA Trade Rumors: Carmelo Anthony Not Worth N.Y. Knicks Trading Danilo Gallinari

Carmelo Anthony, from the beginning of all this "Melo-drama," has always wanted his final destination to be New York.

The Knicks have a mutual interest in Anthony.

But throughout this saga, it has been stressed that the Knicks are not willing to overpay in a trade for Anthony and that Denver wasn't interested in anything New York could offer.

So, how is it that we got here?

How are we at a point where the Knicks are dangling Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Eddy Curry and first round pick and cash in exchange for Anthony, Chauncey Billups and fillers?

How is it all of a sudden the Nuggets are actually enticed by the likes of Gallinari, Chandler and Felton?

And how is Denver now demanding that Timofey Mozgov be included in the current package or there is no deal?

This Anthony saga has officially reached its peak and the latest developments are frustrating for Knicks fans to say the least.

I have maintained that the Knicks current offer is nothing more than posturing, but as no reports have surfaced supporting this, the possibility that my thinking is misguided is becoming more and more likely.

Now it's time to come clean.

For all the Knicks fans that want Anthony at all costs and feel this trade is worth it, I pray you look at the facts.

New York would be giving up three starters for one true starter.  In my eyes, Billups is more of a backup at this point in his career, especially when put into Mike D'Antoni's system.

But let's put all that aside.  The real tragedy of any Knicks trade for Anthony, no matter how many players they relinquish, is the inclusion of Gallinari.

Many might believe that when it comes to Anthony, Gallinari is a small price to pay.

Those people are mistaken.

Gallinari is a future all-star.  With each passing game, Gallinari comes into his own more and more. And one day, he may be better than Anthony.

Don't agree?

One of the only hangups between the Nuggets and Knicks is New York's reluctance to include Gallinari in any package.  The Knicks know what Gallinari is headed for.

Sadly it seems as if the pressure may have gotten to New York.  Gallinari is now part of the current package for Anthony.

This is a big mistake.

Anthony is averaging over 25 points and seven rebounds a game, which overshadows Gallo's 16 and five, but we must delve deeper.

Gallinari is scoring 16 points per game while shooting just over 10 shots, while Anthony's 25 comes with him averaging almost 20 shots, twice as many shots as Gallo.

What this shows is that Gallinari needs to get the ball more.  If he shoots 20 shots a game, his numbers would be similar if not better than Anthony's.

Furthermore, both Gallinari and Anthony average just over eight free-throw attempts per game.  Gallinari has the ball in his hands about half as much as Anthony, making his average that much more impressive.

If Gallinari was the first, or even the second option on offense for New York, we would be looking at a guy who would probably be in the top five if not better in free-throw attempts per game.

Now, I'm not knocking Anthony's talents.  He is a great player, but Gallinari, like many believe, is not an acceptable price to pay.

Gallinari is poised for a break out.  He is on the verge of exploding and should the Knicks trade him away, they will come to regret it.

People forget that Gallo is only 22 and only in his second full-season in the NBA. His statistics are more than impressive at this stage of his career.

At 6'10", Gallinari provides size to the Knicks and by next season he will be grabbing upwards of 10 rebounds a game.  

Do not let Gallo's meager five rebounds per game fool you.  Anthony may be out rebounding him now, but as Gallinari develops and becomes more aggressive, the tables will turn.

And let's not overlook the obvious fact that Gallinari is a dangerous threat to opposing teams from beyond the arc, while Anthony's three-point shooting is mediocre at best.

Yes, Gallo has endless potential and he is a heartbeat away from proving he is a star calibre player, but his presence on the Knicks also brings intangibles that you cannot put a price on.

Gallinari is a home-grown player, something that teams and fans tend to place little or no value on. 
New York drafted him in 2008 and it would be a shame to watch him leave just as he begins to shine.

Gallinari has exhibited strong loyalty toward the Knicks and as a fan favorite, it is time New York and their fans take a stand and do the same.

As fans and critics we throw around names in trade rumors and forget that these names represent actual people. People with families and feelings, and Gallinari has become a victim to such behavior.

The NBA may be a business, but player personalities and the intangibles they bring do play a factor in its success.  

Gallinari is the perfect example of this. He won New York and its fans over with his exceptional play and likable personality.  

Anthony may love New York, but so does Gallinari.  This is more than just a team to him.

Over the all-star break, most players plan trips to return home.  But Gallo was quoted as having no plans to return to Italy or go anywhere else.  He remained in New York.

Why?

"This is my home," he said.

Gallinari is more than a future star.  He is a true New Yorker.

But for those who consider player-personas as irrelevant, the statistics are there to support Gallinari's case.

Anthony is a great player in his prime, but Gallo is poised to be even greater as he follows the path to his prime.

So regardless of whether or not the Knicks include Mozgov in the current trade package for Anthony, Gallinari needs to be the limit New York will not exceed.

And if this means Anthony does not join the Knicks, then so be it.

New York is better off with Gallinari.