Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors: 10 Reasons NY Knicks Should Target Nene Hilario
Here we are again.
Another day and yet another rumor concerning Denver Nuggets star Forward Carmelo Anthony.
The latest has Denver sending Anthony to the Los Angeles in a deal that involves Andrew Bynum ending up with the Nuggets.
This is no doubt a ploy by Denver's front office to try and up the New York Knicks offer for Anthony.
Denver wants the Knicks to include more assets in their proposed package for Anthony.
As of right now, there is a three-team deal on the table that has the Knicks sending Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves would in turn send Corey Brewer and a first round pick to the Nuggets, who would also receive the Knicks' Wilson Chandler.
And the Knicks would get Anthony.
Although this trade provides Denver with immediate cash savings, the general consensus is that Denver wants more.
Reportedly Denver wants the Knicks to include Danilo Gallinari and Landry fields in addition to Wilson Chandler in any trade for Anthony.
Ergo the Lakers entering the situation.
If the Knicks are dead set on getting Anthony and are willing to trade away their abundance of young assets for him, then they need to seek someone else in addition to Anthony from Denver.
That someone is Nene Hilario.
And here's the top ten reasons why.
No. 10: Carmelo Anthony Is Not Worth Three-Fifths Of The Knicks Starting Lineup
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Carmelo Anthony is a great player.
But he is not worth sixty-percent of the Knicks starting rotation.
Denver wants the Knicks to include Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Landry fields in any package for Anthony.
Gallinari, Chandler and Fields combine for 43 of the Knicks points per game while Anthony is only averaging 24.6 points per game.
Anthony's scoring is stellar and would probably improve in Coach Mike D'Antoni's system, but not by 18 points per game.
If the Knicks are going to give up that many assets then they need to target Nene Hilario as well.
HIlario is averaging 15.3 points per game this season, thus making the trade not so lopsided starting lineup wise.
By obtaining Hilario in an Anthony deal, the Knicks would get two solid starters in return for their three, thus ensuring that New York gets the most value possible in return for their young assets.
No. 9: Nene Hilario Is a Very Durable Player
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Nene Hilario has not had many injury troubles throughout his career.
In the 2005-2006 and 2007-2008 seasons, he was plagued by injuries, but he has proved to be durable otherwise.
Some may view him as an injury risk, but I take the opposing stance.
Hilario has proved that he can be a consistent starter in the league and be effective while doing so.
And lets not forget that Hilario routinely plays one of the most, if not the most, physical position on the basketball court.
In the Western Conference, Hilario has had to battle guys like Tim Duncan, Yao Ming, Pau Gasol,Chris Kaman and even Marc Gasol on a daily basis. All these guys play physical and Hilario has managed to keep pace with them.
The Knicks took a chance on Amar'e Stoudemire and his knee. And look at the dividends that has paid.
Hilario comes with an even smaller injury risk.
And a very large upside.
No. 8: Nene Would Provide Some Veteran Leadership On This Very Young Team
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Amar'e Stoudemire has been a great leader for this young New York Knicks team. But he could use some help.
The average age on the Knicks roster is barely 25 and the only player with any playoff experience is Stoudemire, unless you count Bill Walker in his days with the Celtics.
Nene provides veteran leadership that you just cannot put a price on. And combined with the leadership skills of Carmelo Anthony and Stoudemire, you have three quality guys that are sure to lead the Knicks to success.
In addition, Nene brings the best kind of veteran leadership. He is only 28, but is in his ninth season in the NBA.
So in Hilario, you have a person that can still relate to the younger guys on the roster because he is still relatively young himself. And you also have a seasoned veteran who has spent almost a decade in the league.
It doesn't get much better than that.
If the Knicks are forced to relinquish multiple young assets in any Anthony trade then it would be smart of them to make sure Hilario joins them as well.
There is only word to describe the type of leadership Hilario can provide the Knicks with.
Invaluable.
No. 7: Hilario Would Also Be a Good Fit in Mike D'Antoni's System
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If there was ever a true Center born for Mike D'Antoni's system, it is Nene Hilario.
HIlario is a very versatile and explosive Center. At 6'11 Hilario not only provides a strong presence in the low post, but he can run the floor well and hit the mid-range jumper.
Hilario is also a smart offensive player that takes high-percentage shots. He is shooting over 64% from the field this season.
This becomes more impressive when you learn that Hilario isn't one of those players who has such a high field-goal percentage because he doesn't shoot the ball that much.
Hilario averages over 10 shots a game. It is very rare that you have a player taking 10 shots a game and maintaining that high of a field-goal percentage.
Oh, and Hilario's 64% from the field leads the league. Credit must be given where credit is do.
You would be hard-pressed to find many Centers that could fit this well into Coach D'Antoni's system.
No.6: Hilario Fits Into The Knicks Plans
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Nene Hilario's contract runs through this season with a player option for next season.
This is what makes Hilario such a low risk to the Knicks. His contract does not affect their ambitious 2012 dreams.
Hilario will almost certainly exercise his player option at the end of this season. After next season though, the Knicks do not have to resign him and can feel free to chase after more high profile free-agents such as Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard or New Orleans Hornets' Chris Paul.
Furthermore, Hilario could also become a valuable trade commodity next season. With his contract expiring after next season, many teams would be interested in obtaining him.
Hilario's contract could then prove to be very valuable in the Knicks pursuit of Paul and Howard in another way.
If the Magic or Hornets get the sense their stars will look to leave after next season, they will look to trade them in order to get some value before their departure.
And if the Knicks are still set on getting Chris Paul, a package of Raymond Felton and Hilario next season might be very appealing to the Hornets.
Or quite possibly, Hilario would be a good building block for a package the Knicks put together to possibly try and pry Howard away from the Magic.
Next season, Hilario will most definitely be a hot trade commodity. A talented player like Hilario with an expiring contract would be appealing to many teams.
And the Knicks know this.
No. 5: Hilario Brings a Refreshing Defensive Mind to New York
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Nene Hilario averages slightly less than 1 block per game, but he is an aggressive defender nonetheless.
Hilario is also a very smart defender. He doesn't make bad fouls that often, which given he only averages 3 personal fouls a game is no surprise.
On the defensive end, Hilario brings intangibles to the table. He is a presence that forces opposing teams to second guess driving the ball to the basket.
And when the opposition does take the ball to the inside, Hilario is very skilled at picking up and stopping the penetration. He can fight over picks and is rarely beat off the dribble.
Also, it doesn't hurt that as a Center, Hilario averages over 1 steal a game.
It is hard enough for Guards to average that many steals a game, let alone Centers.
Hilario is no Dwight Howard on the defensive end, but he does bring a defensive mindset to a team that at any given moment can forget to play defense altogether.
No. 4: Hilario Provides The Knicks With Some Much Needed Rebounding
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Nene Hilario is averaging 7.3 rebounds per game this year.
Although at 6'11 Hilario could be averaging more, the Knicks are lacking in this department and would welcome anyone who could average over 4 rebounds a game.
Together, Carmelo Anthony and HIlario bring down 15 rebounds a game. The Knicks are 19th in the league in the rebounding department and desperately could use the rebounds both Hilario and Anthony bring.
What is also noteworthy is that about 2 of Hilario's rebounds every game are on the offensive end. The Knicks need second chance opportunities on that end of the floor and Hilario provides just that.
In addition, Hilario's numbers do not due him justice. His rebound total could be higher, but he is still very aggressive on the boards.
We must remember that he routinely faces double-teams in Denver as well as Centers that are a lot bigger than him.
In New York though, since Stoudemire and Anthony would be the double-team focus, Hilario would be free to grab more rebounds. And he would not be facing as big as Centers in the Eastern Conference.
All signs point to Hilario's rebounding dramatically improving if he winds up with the Knicks.
No. 3: Hilario Compliments Amar'e Stoudemire Perfectly
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If the Knicks obtain Nene Hilario in addition to Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire would be able to return to his natural Power-Forward position.
Timofey Mozgov has been starting of late, but he is just not ready to be an everyday starter yet.
Hilario on the other hand would be the perfect compliment to Stoudemire.
In addition to allowing Stoudemire to return to the four, Hilario provides a second low-post threat.
Opposing teams are going to continue to double-team Stoudemire. Let's face it, they have to.
This will leave Hilario wide open or with the opportunity to post-up one on one.
HIlario will not have to worry about the double teams that he routinely faces in Denver because the opposition has Stoudemire to worry about. Hilario would be an afterthought on a team with Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony.
And you better believe that this is a good thing.
Stoudemire will be able to dish the rock off to Hilario who will almost always be open.
Stoudemire routinely causes havoc for the opposition in the low post.
But imagine what HIlario and Stoudemire would be able to accomplish together.
No. 2: Hilario Gives Adds Much Needed Size To The Knicks Roster
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At 6'11, Nene Hilario will bring some much needed size to a Knicks roster that is depleted in the size department.
The Knicks are overmatched down low night in and night out. Adding Hilario would give them a legitimate low post rotation for the first time in years.
Ronnie Turiaf and Amar'e Stoudemire have carried the low-post burden by themselves for much of this season. Timofey Mozgov has only recently entered the fold.
Add Hilario to that group and you've got yourself an explosive four and five rotation.
Gone would be the nights Stoudemire spends his time taking a beating from opposing Centers.
Gone would be the nights where the 6'9 Shawne Williams is forced to guard Centers.
Gone would be the nights we see the Knicks consistently get outplayed in the low-post.
Bringing in Hilario solves all of these aforementioned issues that have plagued the Knicks all season.
We all know that Mike D'Antoni loves to go with small lineups, but even he would welcome the presence of Hilario.
Mozgov has finally entered the rotation to relieve some of the burden down low. Hilario could lift even more of the burden off of Stoudemire's and the injury-prone Turiaf's shoulders.
And then some.
I mean as much as I've enjoyed watching Williams, and even the 6'8 Wilson Chandler play the Center position over the course of games this season, I think it's time for a change.
No. 1: Hilario Would Ensure Isiah Thomas Never Returns To New York
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The addition of Nene Hilario could prove even more valuable than some may think.
Not only will Hilario put up strong numbers, but he may prevent the return of Isiah Thomas to the Knicks organization.
Rumor has it that Knicks' owner James Dolan may not pick up President Donnie Walsh's option by April 30th for next season because Dolan wants Thomas to return to New York.
Hilario can put an end to these rumors.
Remember when the Knicks traded Hilario?
Unfortunately, so do I.
No, it was not Thomas who traded Hilario in the McDyess bust, rather it was former Knicks' General Manager Scott Layden. But Hilario can serve as a reminder to why Layden and Thomas are no longer with the organization.
Obviously, Dolan can just look Eddy Curry's way whenever he wants a refreshing reminder of how unsuccessful Isiah Thomas was during his tenure in New York. But maybe he needs a little more of a reminder of just how great a President and GM Walsh is.
Walsh has maintained cap flexibility for the Knicks, something Layden and Thomas failed to do. He is one of the main reasons that the Knicks have experienced a revival.
Simply put, the Knicks would not be where they are today without Walsh.
Hilario would serve as a further reminder to Dolan about the failed GM's of the past. The McDyess trade was a bust for New York, while Hilario has experienced success in Denver.
Dolan might not appreciate the situation right now because Hilario plays in the Western Conference and so much time as elapsed since that sorry excuse of a trade.
But once Dolan sees Hilario play on a daily basis and realizes what the Knicks missed out on, he will realize how valuable Walsh is to New York.
It may be easier for Dolan to overlook the Curry debacle because he is on his way out the door, but Hilario would not be as easy to overlook.
I have a vision. A vision of Dolan holding a huge press conference on April 30th to announce that he has picked up Walsh's option for next season.
And did I mention that April 30th is also Thomas' birthday?
What a day that could be. Dolan can ensure the stability of the franchise and put an end to the disease known as "Isiah" that New York has been plagued by for almost a decade.
All he has to do is pick up Walsh's option.
And Nene can make it happen.
