Carmelo Anthony And The Knicks: What It Would Mean To The NBA

Carmelo Anthony is reportedly interested in the New York Knicks as his next employer and the NBA should be behind this decision. 

News of Anthony only having eyes for New York come after Anthony and the Denver Nuggets visited New York Sunday. The Knicks pulled out a four-point win, they're eighth straight, which only seemed to add fuel to the fire. 

Following the game, the former Syracuse star told reporters that he wasn't interested in testing the free agency waters and that he would either sign the Nuggets' current offer or be traded to a team of his choice. Denver's offer to Anthony, which has been on the table since the preseason, is a three-year, $65 million extension. 

Anthony expressed his love for New York back in October when he told Spike Lee that the Knicks are his No. 1 choice for his next team.

And the new report mentions that Anthony is only interested in the Knicks, leaving Denver and New Jersey, another suitor, out in the cold. 

If Anthony did end up in New York, it would be terrific for the NBA. 

The Knicks were a potential landing place for LeBron James when he picked out his next stop. All of the reasons James would have benefitted from the city of New York, and the reverse, can certainly apply to Anthony. 

By most accounts, Anthony is a likeable star and is in his prime.

He has played well in Denver since entering the league in the 2003-2004 season, averaging 24.7 points per game. The three-time NBA All-Star finished second and third in points per game in two separate seasons and has been named to an All-NBA team in five of his first six seasons. 

In the media frenzy that is New York City, Anthony's value, both on the court and off, would only go up. 

Even with stars like Amare Stoudemire, the Knicks lack the type of star power so often seen in New York's sports teams. Anthony would add to that right away. 

As for on the court, New York would gain from his skills immediately. Anthony would likely replace Danilo Gallinari, who's rumoured to be mentioned in a potential trade, and join an athletic starting five that also features Raymond Felton and Wilson Chandler. 

With the Knicks riding a current eight-game winning streak, and wins in 13 of their last 14 games, Anthony would enter New York with the chance of altering the balance of power in the East. 

The Knicks currently hold their fourth best record in the Eastern Conference and could easily contend with Boston, Miami, Orlando and Atlanta when the postseason rolls around. 

Adding Carmelo Anthony to the mix only makes the New York Knicks stronger this season and moving forward.