Carmelo Anthony Trade: Winners and Losers of the Blockbuster Deal

Carmelo Anthony Trade: Which Teams Are Happy To See Him Go and Which Are Upset?

Well, after months of speculation, rumors, happenstance and hearsay, Carmelo Anthony is finally a New York Knick. 

According to sources, Denver gets Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks' 2014 first-round draft pick, the Warriors' 2012 second-round pick, the Warriors' 2013 second-round pick and $3 million in cash. Anthony will go to New York, along with Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman.

New York will also send Eddy Curry's expiring deal to Minnesota, along with youngster Anthony Randolph, as part of the deal that will send swingman Corey Brewer to the Nuggets.

Got all that?  Good.

Now that the Knicks and Nuggets have made their trade, which teams come out looking good and which teams are dreading the second half of the season?

Read on to see who the winners and losers are going forward and be sure to let us know what your thoughts are.

5. Loser: Atlanta Hawks

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 16: Joe Johnson #2 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles the ball against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 16, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/o

The Atlanta Hawks are currently slated in the fifth spot in the East, just one spot above the sixth-seeded New York Knicks.

Although there are five-and-a-half games separating the teams, I think the Knicks could find a way to move ahead of the Hawks in the standings.

That sets up plenty of intriguing matchups in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Can you feel the excitement?

5. Winner: Amar'e Stoudemire

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 18: Assistant coach Amare Stoudemire of the Rookie Team calls out from the bench during the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam at Staples Center on February 18, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty

I can only imagine how happy Amar'e Stoudemire is at the news that he will have some help in New York now.

Last summer, when free agency was dominating the news, Amar'e was one of the few guys who signed rather quickly, and the second after he signed, he was out recruiting guys to join him.

It took a while, but those aggressive pitches have finally paid off.

4. Loser: Ty Lawson

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 13: Ty Lawson #3 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during a break in the action against the Miami Heat at the Pepsi Center on January 13, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Heat 130-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ackn

It seemed like the whole reason that Chauncey Billups was going to be included in any Carmelo Anthony trade was because Ty Lawson was ready to step into the starting role for the Nuggets.

It hasn't quite worked out that way.

Now he will be competing for time with fellow North Carolina product Raymond Felton.

Lawson might get more time with Billups gone, but Felton should see the bulk of the duty in Denver.

4. Winner: Memphis Grizzlies

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The Memphis Grizzlies looked to make a big push for the playoffs this year, but as of right now, they are on the outside looking in.

With Carmelo Anthony now playing in the Eastern Conference, it's safe to say that the Nuggets will be dropping in the standings.

That will open the door for the Grizzlies to make a big push in the Western Conference.

3. Loser: New Jersey Nets

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 14: Brook Lopez #11 of the New Jersey Nets shoots over Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 14, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 100-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges

The New Jersey Nets are an obvious choice for being one of the biggest losers.

Not only did they miss out on one of the best players in the league, but they are still one of the worst teams in the league.

Not only did the Nets miss out on the chance to land a star player, but they also failed to capitalize on bringing in more revenue with the move to Brooklyn right around the corner.

Unless Derrick Favors can develop and Brook Lopez can take his game to a higher level, the Nets won't be scorching anytime soon.

3. Winner: New Jersey Nets

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Time for a little point-counterpoint.

I know I just outlined all the reasons that the Nets have really missed out on getting one of the best players in the league; however, for the future of the Nets franchise, not getting Carmelo Anthony might actually be the best thing.

Reportedly, the Nuggets are close to trading several of the pieces they got from Knicks to the Nets in exchange for draft picks.

In the end, hanging on to Derrick Favors might, in fact, prove to be a very smart move.

2. Loser: Miami Heat

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TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 16: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball up court in a game against the Toronto Raptors on February 16, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. The Heat defeated the Raptors 103-95. (Photo by Claus Ande

I am not sure if the Knicks and Carmelo Anthony will be able to compete for a championship this year, but going forward, the Heat appear to have some tough competition in the Eastern Conference.

Sure, the Knicks still are a player away from matching the Heat's Big Three, but they are now only one superstar away from having a dominant triumvirate.

You can bet LeBron James and his teammates weren't thrilled to see this blockbuster deal finally go through.

2. Winner: Carmelo Anthony

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 07: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets watches on against the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on December 7, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

This winner is pretty much a no-brainer

Not only does he get to go to the team he wants to go to, but he also gets the contract extension that he wanted in the biggest media market in the world.

It's safe to say today was a good day for Carmelo Anthony.

His lasting legacy as an NBA superstar should get a huge boost by playing in the Big Apple.

Unless, of course, he doesn't win anything that matters...

1. Loser: Denver Nuggets

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 10: Head coach George Karl of the Denver Nuggets directs his team during a time out against the Dallas Mavericks during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on February 10, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Mavericks 121-

Everyone knew the Nuggets were basically doomed if they couldn't get Carmelo Anthony to agree to a contract extension.

They couldn't.

But they could have simply tried to wait it out and hoped Carmelo would have changed his mind and inked a long-term deal with the CBA strife looming.

We'll never know if persistence might have paid off.

Sure, the Nuggets still have some nice pieces, but they don't have a marquee player on the roster anymore.

Do you really think Corey Brewer can replace Carmelo Anthony?

1. Winner: New York Knicks

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 11: Film director Spike Lee watches the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 11, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downl

The Knicks finally have something to build on now.

It seemed like a foregone conclusion that LeBron James would be in New York this year, but instead he went to Miami and New York was left with Amar'e Stoudemire and the pu-pu platter.

Now they have Amar'e and Carmelo Anthony, a pair of superstars, on board for the future.

It sounds sexy in the present, but New York is still a deal or two away from being a true contender.

Things are looking up for Spike Lee and those loyal masses at the Garden.

Conclusion: What Is the Outcome Of This Trade?

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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

Will the Knicks be in the NBA Finals this year?

Doubtful.

But are they in a better situation today than they were yesterday? Absolutely.

Ultimately, this deal is more about the years ahead than the weeks and months ahead. 

It's about eventually bringing the Knicks back to contending status year after year.

The trade winds haven't stopped blowing quite yet in the NBA, but it's safe to say there won't be a bigger blockbuster as the trade deadline inches closer.

Now let's sit back and enjoy the show in New York, New York.