Carmelo Anthony Trade: Will the Knicks or Nuggets Make the Playoffs First?

Although the Denver Nuggets seem to make the playoffs every year, their time is up. Without Carmelo Anthony, the Nuggets are going to find it really tough to make it to the postseason as much as they have in recent times.

On the flip side, the New York Knicks are not only going to make the playoffs on a consistent basis, with Carmelo joining the team, but they are going to be contenders for the NBA Title as well. 

The Knicks are already the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, despite being only two games above .500. With this said, by adding Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony to the team, the Knicks are going to start winning a lot more games and they should be able to climb up the Eastern Conference.

The Denver Nuggets stand at seventh in the Western Conference and without Carmelo and Billups, they are going to drop even lower. It is very hard to lose both stars on a team and still compete. In the long run, the Denver Nuggets may be just fine, but in the meantime they are going to struggle. 

The Western Conference is tougher than the East in terms of depth. Therefore, the Knicks are going to walk into the playoffs, while the Nuggets are going to struggle to get a playoff spot. 

At this rate, the Knicks can have a losing record and make it into the playoffs, although signs are pointing to a strong second half. 

Let's put it this way, if the Knicks were in the Western Conference they would be ranked number ten, but instead they are number six in the Eastern Conference. 

Combine this with the New York Knicks getting a complete makeover at the trade deadline, which should energize them down the stretch.

Look for, after years of futility, the Knicks to make the playoffs. The Nuggets may not be as fortunate.