NBA Trade Rumors: Carmelo Anthony Meets With Knicks & Nets, Which Offer Is Best?

Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony has now met with the New York Knicks and the New Jersey Nets this week, after telling TNT that no meetings would take place this weekend, according to ESPN.

Anthony met with Knicks owner James Dolan earlier in the week, and met with Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov, minority owner Jay-Z, and other Nets executives Saturday night in Los Angeles.

Prokhorov and Jay-Z gave 'Melo their short and long term plans for the team, which included the club's anticipated move to Brooklyn and ownership's willingness to spend in free agency.

Anthony would prefer a trade be completed this weekend, because like many fans, I would imagine he is sick of all the rumors and talk surrounding his future.

After deciding not to continue their pursuit of Anthony due to his lack of interest in the team, the Nets have made one final push to convince 'Melo that the Nets are the best team for him.

Late this week, multiple sources confirmed the Nets and Nuggets had agreed on a trade, which is pending Carmelo's willingness to sign a three year, $65 million contract extension.

Neither the Knicks nor the Nets will agree to a trade for Anthony unless he agrees to sign a multi-year contract extension.

The Nets and Nuggets have had more success at finding a trade package that suits both teams than the Nuggets and Knicks have, and the Knicks lack of first round draft picks is a big reason why.

But with the Knicks latest trade offer including Danilo Gallinari and newly signed point guard Raymond Felton, who was not part of earlier proposals, the Nuggets now have two enticing offers to choose from.

Does Denver value the proven talents of Gallinari and Felton, or the reported four first round picks the Nets are offering?

Knicks fans would have a difficult time saying goodbye to Gallinari, whose solid play and passion has made him a Garden favorite.

While four first round picks is a great way to build through the draft, the process is certainly not an exact science.

Furthermore, if the Nets are a playoff team with Anthony, which you'd assume they would be, these first round picks Denver would be receiving won't have much value.

Gallinari and Felton are good players, and both have yet to hit the primes of their career's. Felton is a very good point guard, and Gallinari is a great shooter who adds more skills to his repertoire each season.

The Nets' offer of rookie forward Derrick Favors and point guard Devin Harris is a promising package, but Favors is a raw talent, and will likely take several years to develop.

Harris is a good player, but has not shown the talent he displayed in Dallas, or his first season with the Nets. There is more uncertainty with the Nets package than the Knicks'.

Melo's decision will come down to where he can win now. He's going to get the same contract wherever he goes, so that means winning is the top priority.

When you compare the trade proposals by the Knicks and Nets, it's clear that the Nets are giving up more talent than the Kicks.

The Knicks are not giving up their best player, MVP candidate Amare Stoudemire. The Knicks also have several young players who are ready to play increased minutes.

The Nets are parting ways with their point guard with no backup ready to step in, and are giving up on their first round pick from the past draft in Favors.

Favors has huge potential, and with Brook Lopez not having a great season, New Jersey's size needs to be kept, not given away.

The argument of the Nets being willing to spend money in free agency would normally weigh heavily in a player's decision making, because few teams are willing to spend lots of money.

But if the team you are competing with resdies in New York, the money promise isn't as compelling.

The Knicks owner Dolan will spend if he needs to, and has shown many times in the past that he's not afraid to spend big to bring stars to Madison Sqaure Garden.

Anthony will get paid the money he wants from both the Knicks or the Nets, so the real decision comes down to winning, and in that aspect, the Knicks are the clear choice.

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