Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors: 10 Reasons the Knicks Need to Pull the Trigger Now

Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors: Is Anthony Finally Going To End Up With The Knicks?

I know what you are thinking, "Great, another Carmelo Anthony slideshow about a possible Knicks trade rumor. Why should I read this one?"

Well, I can understand the sentiment, but it looks more and more like this deal is a matter of days from getting done and these are the ten reasons why the Knicks should strike while the iron's hot.

The latest trade rumors have Anthony headed to the Knicks with Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry headed to Minnesota and Corey Brewer, Wilson Chandler and Minnesota's first-round pick headed to Denver.

The deal could change from what has been proposed, but we'll have to wait and see what happens from here.

Who wins in the proposed deal? Let us know what you think.

10. Still Time to Iron out a Deal

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 5: A fan anticipating a possible impending trade wears a New York Knicks jersey with the first name and number of Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the game withthe Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on Januar

The trade deadline is 17 days away, so while there is certainly pressure to get a deal done before then, there is still time to comfortably iron out all of the smaller details of a possible trade.

However, the Knicks need to be pushing the trade forward right now. If they are able to get a trade in the works then it seems like the smaller details of the trade have time to work themselves out.

That is the biggest benefit to the Knicks getting a deal in place now.

9. Time To Get Comfortable With Carmelo Anthony Before Deadline

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 21: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets dunks the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center on January 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 107-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledge

If the Knicks are able to get a deal for Carmelo finished quickly enough. New York would have a chance to see just how Anthony's presence on the roster helps their team before the deadline.

If the Knicks don't have as much success in the early going with Carmelo they could always make another deal at the deadline to bring in another player or so.

If the deal outlined on the opening page happens and the Knicks still want to bring in someone else they could trade some expiring contracts to Memphis in exchange of O.J. Mayo.

8. Minnesota Partnership

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 14: Corey Brewer #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in action against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on December 14, 2010 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading

The Minnesota Timberwolves have not had much success this year, but they still appear to be on the rise behind young players like Kevin Love and Michael Beasley. Partnering in this trade with the Knicks and Nuggets could help them get a few more pieces in the rebuilding process.

The Timberwolves could demand a first round pick from the Knicks in exchange for their help, but as far as players they would want in this deal it doesn't seem like there are many guys on either the Knicks or Nuggets that they would need.

Apparently the Timberwolves have interest in Anthony Randolph but they really need a point guard. If they could somehow get one in a trade it might make it more worth their while.

7. Knicks Need Defense

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SALT LAKE CITY - APRIL 23: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets defends the shot of Wesley Matthews #23 of the Utah Jazz during Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs at EnergySolutions Arena on April 23, 2010 in Sal

Carmelo Anthony isn't known as a defensive stopper but he is a much better defender than people give him credit for. Not only is he strong enough to guard the three and the four, but he is also quick enough to guard the two.

I remember watching  Kobe Bryant getting beat up in the playoffs by Carmelo when the Lakers and Nuggets met in the conference finals a few years back.

Carmelo would give the Knicks a legitimate player on the wing to match up with the likes of LeBron James and Paul Pierce in the Eastern Conference.

6. Rebounding

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 07: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets grabs a rebound over Stephen Jackson #1 of the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on December 7, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User exp

The Knicks currently rank 18th in NBA in rebounding. While that doesn't sound like a bad they are behind a number of teams that they could end up having to face in the playoffs.

Carmelo Anthony is the best rebounding small forward in the league. He averages over seven boards a game and nearly nine per 40 minutes.

Anthony would give the Knicks a legitimate rebounding forward to take the pressure off the rest of the New York roster.

5. New York Is 4-6 in Their Last 10

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 06: Amar'e Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks adjusts his glasses on the court against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on February 6, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees th

I think one of the most telling stats in the NBA standings is a team's record in their last 10 games. The Knicks are 4-6 in their last ten games.

That doesn't sound like something a team with a legitimate chance to win a championship would do during a ten game stretch. However, if the Knicks brought in Carmelo Anthony it would give New York a new breath of life like the trade that the Orlando Magic made earlier in the season.

I am not saying that the Knicks would go on a huge run if Carmelo came to New York, but I think it would absolutely help them find some success.

4. Division Record

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BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 06: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics is congratulated by teammates Paul Pierce #23,Glen Davis #11,Kevin Garnett #5 and Ray Allen #20 after Rondo drew the foul in the second half agianst the Orlando Magic on February 6, 2011 at t

So far this season the Knicks are just 5-4 in their division. So not only have they only played nine games in their division but they have a less than stellar record against the likes of the 76ers, Nets, Raptors, and of course the Celtics.

Bringing in Carmelo Anthony would help the Knicks to compete better in the Atlantic Division.

Anthony would be able to match up with Paul Pierce of the Celtics, Andre Iguodala of the 76ers, DeMar DeRozen of the Raptors, and Travis Outlaw of the Nets.

3. Point Differential

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 06: Evan Turner #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers lays the ball up over Danilo Gallinari #12 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 6, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees th

Mike D'Antoni coached teams are at their best when they can run up the score on opponents. However, the Knicks have not had the opportunity to do that much this season.

Their point differential is just at +0.5. Meaning on average they score just half a point more than their opponents. Bringing in Carmelo Anthony would help in both the offensive and defensive numbers.

Anthony averages over 24 points per game and would give the Knicks another scoring option while also playing better than average defense.

2. Denver Is Getting Desperate

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 21: Carmelo Anthony #15 and Chauncey Billups #1 of the Denver Nuggets talk during a break in the action against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center on January 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 107-9

The Nuggets have not been able to have nearly the same success as the past few years when everything was going well in Denver and that is due to the uncertainty surrounding Carmelo Anthony.

The Nuggets are realizing that their opportunity to get something for their franchise player before he leaves in the offseason is dwindling. They must make a trade soon if they hope to come out of the trade looking decent at all.

Desperation is setting in and the Knicks would be wise to strike while the iron is hot.

1. The Current Deal Favors New York in a Landslide

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 02: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the New York Knicks questions a call against the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden on February 2, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading

If the rumors of the current trade terms that the Nuggets are considering are true, the deal would be a huge win for the Knicks.

Not only would they be able to hold onto key pieces Danilo Gallinari, Landry Fields, and Toney Douglas, but they also would have a few expiring contracts to either make more deals or maybe make a move in free agency.

The Knicks would only be losing Wilson Chandler who Carmelo Anthony would be an upgrade over anyways.