Why the New York Knicks Must Consider Shopping Carmelo Anthony

The New York Knicks are on a roll, led by their Ivy League sensation, Jeremy Lin.

They've played their best basketball of the season and quite frankly, their best basketball in years with Lin running Mike D'Antoni's offense.

The funny part of the Knicks' success is that almost all of it has come with superstar Carmelo Anthony on the bench nursing a groin injury.

When Anthony returns to the lineup, it's going to be very interesting to see if he can fit into the flow of what the Knicks currently have. I have no doubts that he can, but will he be able to change his game to the extent that the offense will continue to have the same chemistry?

That's one reason why the Knicks should consider shopping Anthony.

Before I go any further, notice I said shop and not trade.

Remember the goal here is to win an NBA championship. Anything short of that and the Knicks still have a lot work to do.

First you have to ask yourself if you really think that Anthony can lead the Knicks to a championship.

If at anytime that answer is no, then you realistically have to consider shopping him.

It's apparent that Anthony doesn't fit into D'Antoni's system, and that's no knock on Anthony. Some players just aren't made for some systems. If that's the case, then the Knicks have to consider changes down the road.

One-hundred percent of the time, the player is going to win that battle, but with everything going so well right now in New York, the finger is going to get pointed at Anthony once the Knicks start having success, whether he deserves it or not.

That also leads to the fact that the Knicks could get quite the return for Anthony. If you need an example, look at what the Knicks gave up to get him and look at the success the Denver Nuggets have had since the trade and the failures the Knicks have had.

The only way you even consider dealing Anthony is if you get an insane amount of talent in return.

You can acquire another superstar that may fit D'Antoni's system better and some young talent for the future and possibly get yourself in a better salary cap situation in the future.

Again, if you're not convinced that Anthony is the guy that can lead the Knicks to a championship, then it makes sense from the Knicks' point of view to possibly throw his name out there and see what comes back in return.

It never hurts to shop. It doesn't mean you have to buy.