Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors: 'Melo Is Not the Answer for the New York Knicks

It's no secret that Carmelo Anthony has been the target of the Knicks front office for months now. Donnie Walsh has been wheeling and dealing in order to build an enticing enough package for the Denver Nuggets to consider New York a serious trade partner, but he has failed to draw any interest.

Now that the New Jersey Nets have pulled themselves out of the running for Anthony, the door is wide open for Walsh to jump in and capitalize on the opportunity. However, even if Walsh is able to construct an attractive enough package to land Anthony, is it really the right move to make?

If you told me prior to the start of the season that the Knicks could land Anthony, I wouldn't even hesitate to sign off on such a move. My response would be to do whatever it took to make him a Knickerbocker.

However, after watching the Knicks in action through the first half of the season and carefully deliberating the team's needs and weaknesses, I'm no longer convinced that he is the one to make the Knicks a true contender.

While the addition of Anthony to the Knicks' starting five would give them a substantial and immediate upgrade at small forward, such a bold move would not benefit the team in the long run.

As great a player as Anthony is, he falls short of the upper echelon of the league's elite. Sure, he can give you 25-plus points on any given night, but he generally won't be very efficient in doing so. Not to mention, he won't play a whole lot of defense in the process.

Anthony does have one distinguishing facet that separates him from most players in the league, which is his clutch scoring ability. If I had my choice of players to give the ball to with the game on the line, he undeniably nears the very top.

It's too bad that we already have our closer in Amar'e Stoudemire, who just so happens to lead the league in fourth quarter scoring.

This isn't to say that Anthony wouldn't improve the team, quite the opposite actually. However, at best, it would vault the Knicks into the third seed in the East and a second-round playoff exit, nothing more.

More than anything else, the biggest problem with making a move now is that it would most assuredly decimate the Knicks' current roster. The chances of Denver settling for an offer that consists of anything less than Landry Fields, Wilson Chandler (or Danilo Gallinari) and a first round pick—which would likely be acquired by shipping out Anthony Randolph—are slim to none.

Simply put, the price of admission to the Anthony show is not worth it.

Even if Anthony is able to make up for the loss of depth, keep in mind that if he signs off on the $65 million extension that awaits him, he'll be making roughly $22 million a season. There are a number of players purportedly on the open market that are not only cheaper, but better complements to the team.

The one player that has circulated in trade rumors this season that makes the most sense as a trade target is Andre Iguodala. He makes for the perfect sidekick to Stoudemire and actually fills voids that Anthony cannot.

First off, he is a true playmaker, capable of creating offense for others, which makes him a much better player to have in Mike D'Antoni's system. Not to mention, he could give Raymond Felton some much needed relief.

Iguodala isn't much of a three-point shooter, but neither is Anthony. He also may not able to takeover games quite like Anthony, but that's what Stoudemire is there for.

However, most importantly, Iguodala makes up for that killer instinct with his defense.

Iguodala is one of the premier perimeter defenders in the league and if the Knicks hope to contend with the likes of Boston or Miami, they need someone competent enough to handle their wing players.

Speaking of defense, the Knicks need to have a full time enforcer down low in the starting five. If Ronny Turiaf were durable enough to play through a whole season averaging 30-plus minutes, it would be no problem. However, I fear that his body will not be able to withstand the 82-game grind. Walsh needs to go out and find a defensive-minded center capable of playing in an up-tempo offense.

If the rumors of New York being on Marcus Camby's list of acceptable destinations are true, Walsh needs to place some calls to Portland's front office. Obviously his recent injury puts a damper on that situation, but a healthy Camby could do wonders for the team.

First, it would also allow Stoudemire to move back to his natural position at power forward. He wouldn't have to cover the opposing team's best post player, which should help to keep him out of foul trouble and allow him to save some energy for obliterating the rim on the other end of the court. Also, as a help defender, it plays to his strengths with his ability to block shots.

The ideal scenario would have Anthony coming to New York via free agency, where the Knicks could retain their young talent and still have enough depth to challenge the league's elite. Even him coming to New York as a free agent isn't all that enticing—it all depends on the terms of his contract.

If the Knicks end up missing out in the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes, the future is still bright in the Big Apple. Get D'Antoni a book on Basketball 101 and have him focus more on defense, sign a mobile center to start full time and we'll be just fine.