Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks: 6 Potential Starting Lineups Featuring 'Melo

Carmelo Anthony trade rumors are beginning to be as nauseating and insufferable as the LeBron James "Decision" saga.

The latest rumor involves New Jersey Nets brass setting up a meeting with Carmelo Anthony for this week to discuss him possibly signing a long-term extension with the team.

Anthony flatly denied a potential meeting with the Nets and has said he hasn't even thought about signing an extension with the team. He also has made it a point to mention that the decision is "not about money", perhaps implying that he is willing to go into the upcoming offseason as a free agent, especially if contracts are rolled back in the new CBA if there is a full-season lockout as rumored.

New Jersey Nets fans can't be happy at this prospect, but New York Knicks fans should be jumping for joy. Although it's possible a third-party team could swoop in and convince Carmelo Anthony to play with them in the long term, and although it's possible a third-party team could go crazy and rent Anthony for a year without him signing an extension, the Denver Nuggets may be forced to get 50 cents back on the dollar and accept a lesser trade offer from the Knicks in order to get something back for Anthony...if and only if Donnie Walsh wants to make a trade.

With that in mind, here are six possible starting combinations that feature Carmelo Anthony. The combinations are a mix between getting Anthony post-trade or keeping assets and waiting for the summer.

Starting Points

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 13: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts as the ball goes out of bounds against the Miami Heat at the Pepsi Center on January 13, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Heat 130-102. NOTE TO USER: User express

Carmelo Anthony is a small forward. Although he has experience playing power forward, don't expect to see him there.

Wilson Chandler is here to stay...if Donnie Walsh keeps his word. I'm going to assume that Chandler signs at least a five-year deal worth $50 million at some point and time after a Carmelo Anthony sign-and-trade or a free agent signing as long as the new CBA allows for teams to go over the cap to sign their own players.

1. Felton 2. Fields 3. Melo 4. Chandler 5. Stoudemire

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 14: Wilson Chandler #21 of the New York Knicks dribbles against the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden on January 14, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or usi

How It Could Happen

Carmelo Anthony signs with the Knicks in the offseason, allowing New York to keep its assets. Gallo moves to the bench and becomes the sixth man, getting 30 minutes a night.

Plusses

All five starters can splurge for 20 points on any given night, and so can Danilo Gallinari. Although Anthony and Stoudemire need the ball in their hands on offense to contribute, Chandler and Fields do not, so there is some balance here.

Negatives

That's an average defensive unit at best. The Knicks would need to look for more frontcourt depth aside from Turiaf.

1. Felton 2. Fields 3 or 4. Gallo 3 or 4. Melo 5. Stoudemire

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How It Could Happen

Carmelo Anthony becomes a free agent and signs with the Knicks during the offseason. Chandler moves to the bench and becomes the sixth man.

Plusses

Chandler would be the best sixth man in the NBA. Also, Danilo Gallinari or Carmelo Anthony at power forward (depending on the matchup) opens up the paint for Amar'e Stoudemire to dominate even more than he is now.

Negatives

This is a terrible defensive starting lineup, and one I hope D'Antoni does not put on the court unless he wants to play games where the first team to 120 points wins.

1. Felton 2. Chandler 3. Melo 4. Stoudemire 5. Turiaf

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 14: Ronny Turiaf #14 of the New York Knicks stands on the court during the game against the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden on January 14, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

How It Could Happen

I can only see the Knicks getting Anthony in a trade in a certain scenario. Otherwise, expect Donnie Walsh to wait it out.

With the trade deadline under 24 hours away, and Carmelo Anthony unwilling to sign an extension with anyone other than the Knicks, Denver is forced to play ball with Donnie Walsh.

Walsh, who would prefer to sign Anthony over the summer, decides to pull the trigger since the Knicks are struggling, hovering around .500 and getting flak in the media.

Denver trades Carmelo Anthony for Landry Fields, Danilo Gallinari, Eddy Curry and his stylish array of sideline blazers, a first-round draft pick acquired from an Anthony Randolph trade, perhaps a second draft pick and cash considerations.

Plusses

This is a well-balanced defensive lineup. The length and height of his unit would also be unmatched from any team in the NBA, considering that the 6'8" Chandler would be guarding the 2 every night. 

Negatives

The Knicks would need to find a 40 percent-plus three-point shooter to come off the bench, because this starting lineup would not be looking to shoot from the outside. 

1. Felton 2. Chandler 3. Melo 4. Stoudemire 5. Williams

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 19: Jordan Williams #20 of the Maryland Terrapins is fouled by Demetri McCamey #32 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the 2k Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 19, 2010 in New York, New York. (Photo by Chris McGr

How It Could Happen

Walsh trades Fields and Gallinari as part of a larger package for Carmelo Anthony. He then signs Chandler to a five-year, $55 million contract and takes Jordan Williams (or the best big man 6'10" or taller) in the draft, moving Turiaf to the bench. 

Plusses

The frontcourt gets some great depth and a youth infusion as well, and Williams provided some solid defense down low.

Negatives

Outside shooting takes a hit. Carmelo Anthony only takes two three-pointers per game. Chandler's three-point shooting has improved, however.

1. Felton 2. Hamilton 3. Melo 4. Chandler 5. Stoudemire

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GREENSBORO, NC - DECEMBER 18: Jordan Hamilton #3 of the Texas Longhorns shoots over Reggie Bullock #35 of the North Carolina Tar Heels at Greensboro Coliseum on December 18, 2010 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

How It Could Happen

The Knicks trade Fields and Gallinari as part of a package deal and draft the best shooting guard available. For now, let's go with high-octane scorer Jordan Hamilton, currently a sophomore at the University of Texas.

Positives

Hamilton is shooting over 42 percent from downtown and can defender shooting guards well with his height and length, so he could be the higher-percentage sharpshooter that the Knicks need. Plus, this lineup once again has great length.

Negative

Chandler and Stoudemire make an average defensive pairing down low at best. Walsh would need to make a couple moves to get some defensive depth down low.

1. Felton 2. Gallo 3. Melo 4. Chandler 5. Stoudemire

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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 22: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the New York Knicks is fouled by Serge Ibaka #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on December 22, 2010 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by

How It Could Happen

Landry Fields moves to the bench after the Knicks sign Anthony over the summer, leading a bench unit with his infectious energy. Danilo Gallinari bulks up to play the power forward position, a spot where he played in to start last season with Al Harrington coming off the bench. Either that, or Danilo Gallinari moves to shooting guard.

Plusses

What an excellent offensive lineup. Any of these players can spring for 30 on a given night. Ultimately Fields could be an excellent, high-energy sixth man, leading a solid bench unit if Bill Walker and Shawne Williams keep improving and providing three-point shooting.

Negatives

Do you think Gallinari can guard quicker shooting guards? Me neither, though his length will help.

Your 2011-12 New York Knicks

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 13: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball upcourt against the Miami Heat at the Pepsi Center on January 13, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Heat 130-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowled

Take this with an entire bag of salt, but this is my latest projection on the Knicks' 2011-12 roster. I think Carmelo does not sign an extension with any team and signs with the Knicks over the summer.

PG: Felton/Douglas/Rautins

SG: Gallinari/Fields/Douglas/2011 First Round Draft Pick  (Best Outside Shooter Available)

SF: Anthony/Fields/2011 First Round Draft Pick (Best Outside Shooter Available)

PF: Chandler/Turiaf/Free Agent (Cheap, Defensive-Minded Big Man)/Mozgov

C: Stoudemire/Turiaf/Free Agent (Cheap, Defensive-Minded Big Man)/Mozgov