Carmelo Anthony Trade: What Will Knicks, Nuggets Starting Lineup Look Like?
The “Melodrama” is officially over. The Denver Nuggets have traded Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks.
The Knicks have been salivating at the opportunity of adding Carmelo Anthony to any type of lineup centering around Amar’e Stoudemire.
With two of the NBA's best players now on the roster, Madison Square Garden will truly have a buzz unseen over the past decade. Fans thought New York basketball was back when the Knicks were barely over .500. Now, the Knicks may field a legitimate championship threat this very season.
In Denver, they're officially in rebuilding mode after shipping off their best player and additional moves could be looming before Thursday's trade deadline.
Following this monumental trade, it is clearly evident that the Knicks make out as the winners. They gain the best player in the deal and are possibly well on their way to an NBA championship while the Nuggets will struggle to field a legitimate playoff team.
Now, we must look at the potential starting lineup for both the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks as they push for playoff seeding.
Denver Nuggets Center: Nene
1 of 10
The Nuggets could look to move Nene before the trade deadline, but considering he can opt out of his contract after the season it might be difficult to get a deal done in time. Sources have said Denver is working on a contract extension that will keep him in town longterm.
Nene is a talented center with good offensive and defensive skills, but he has trouble staying healthy and it's a big knock on him.
New York Knicks Center: Ronny Turiaf
2 of 10
Not an ideal fit for the Knicks, as Turiaf lacks the size of a legitimate center, but a fine option to stand in for now as the Knicks evaluate their roster heading into the playoffs.
Turiaf isn’t an offensive threat, but he's a good hustle player who will do the dirty work a Mike D’Antoni' system needs to succeed in the postseason. Turiaf is a good defender and has been on winning teams in the past.
Don’t expect Turiaf to last long at center, though; Amar’e could slide over to center as he presents a huge mismatch against every other center in the Eastern Conference not named Dwight Howard, and even against him, Amar’e has done well in the past.
Denver Nuggets Shooting Guard: J.R. Smith
3 of 10
Smith will be gone after this season as his contract expires, and he’s been a bit of a headache for Denver. He has explosive ability attacking the basket and can rain down three-pointers when he’s in a groove.
Expect Smith to showcase his abilities as he eyes a long-term contract this offseason.
Smith may be a better fit off the bench with Wilson Chandler starting, but there's a feeling Smith will step ahead of Chandler; who didn't always start for the Knicks.
Chandler is also playing for a long-term deal and enjoying his best season as a pro. Chandler may not be in Denver’s future plans and they might not give him the minutes he was used to seeing in New York.
New York Knicks Shooting Guard: Landry Fields
4 of 10
Fields was one piece the Knicks desperately made sure they didn't part with in the deal.
He's an intelligent player, a fairly efficient scorer and a great rebounder from the guard position. Fields has the intangibles and fundamentals to excel in this lineup.
He should progress rapidly with an expanded role on New York's thinner roster.
Denver Nuggets Point Guard: Raymond Felton
5 of 10
So Felton hit career highs in Mike D’Antoni’s system.
Okay, good for him; he was an average point guard in Charlotte, and everyone expected his numbers to peak in New York. As Felton heads to Denver, his numbers will dip, but not as far as some would expect under head coach George Karl.
There are rumors that Felton could be on the move to create an open lane for Denver’s future point guard, Ty Lawson.
This would be a great move by Denver as Lawson is loaded with potential and can definitely lead this team.
For now, though, Felton is the starter until further notice; though George Karl has hinted he'll opt for Lawson until Felton has the system down.
New York Knicks Point Guard: Chauncey Billups
6 of 10
Billups is a championship point guard even at this stage in his career.
He'll be motivated to play on a revived New York Knicks team in Mike D’Antoni’s fast-paced, high-octane offense and should have free reign on the court.
With two legitimate 20-point scorers, Billups will see a ton of open looks.
Even better for the Knicks, Billups is one of the bigger point guards in the league. He’s a solid defender who can also post up the smaller point guards. He'll be invaluable come playoff time against the likes of Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, Jameer Nelson and Mike Bibby.
It gets even better for the Knicks. Billups only has two years remaining on his contract. That means the Knicks will have a chance to create their own “Big 3” in 2012 by possibly adding Chris Paul, Deron Williams or Dwight Howard.
Denver Nuggets Power Forward: Kenyon Martin
7 of 10
For some odd reason, Kenyon Martin gets playing time for the Nuggets.
I’d sit this bum, who has been a bum his entire career, in favor of boasting a lineup that features Wilson Chandler at shooting guard, J.R. Smith at small forward and Danilo Gallinari at power forward.
Instead, the Nuggets will probably try to milk Martin for all he’s worth, despite having desert dry-like utters. Martin is done, and the Nuggets should give their young acquired players time to play so they can truly evaluate who they want to keep for the future.
Martin is not in their plans—and he should find a home on the bench.
New York Knicks Power Forward: Amar’e Stoudemire
8 of 10
One of the leading candidates for the MVP award, Amar’e Stoudemire promised to recruit Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks before the season even started.
Many were skeptical it would happen during the season, but ‘Melo’s desire to become a Knick won off. Amar’e is probably happier than any Knicks fan as the Knicks are now a legitimate threat to every team short of Boston in a seven-game series.
Stoudemire has shown excellent leadership qualities and maturity since becoming the man in New York. He'll now co-exist with another elite scorer though, but the transition should be a smooth one. Stoudemire has shown fantastic shooting touch from all over the court, good defense and rebounding.
It’s going to be a lot of fun to see Stoudemire and Carmelo together on the court.
Denver Nuggets Small Forward: Danilo Gallinari
9 of 10
Gallinari is a good player, but with Carmelo Anthony available, he became expendable for the Knicks.
He's shown the willingness to get down and dirty in his young career, playing tough-nosed defense and having the courage to attack the basket. This Italian sharpshooter has some trouble creating his own shot, but allow him to stay behind the three-point line, and he can drain buckets with defenders in his face.
Gallinari is progressing nicely, but he still has a ways to go before becoming the player New York envisioned when they drafted him. For the Nuggets, though, he may be one of the new centerpieces; unless they deal him before the deadline.
New York Knicks Small Forward: Carmelo Anthony
10 of 10
Ah, we finally get to the man practically every trade rumor revolved around since the summer.
Knicks management and fans spent countless hours day dreaming of finally seeing Carmelo Anthony suit up for the New York Knicks to finally field a legitimate championship team.
Anthony is a top-10 player in this league. His rebounding has gotten better throughout his career and he's always been one of the truly elite perimeter players.
Every Knicks fan is salivating at the thought of seeing Anthony step onto the coveted Madison Square Garden floor as a member of this new-look team. Anthony is going to erupt in Mike D’Antoni’s system.
Watch out for the Knicks.
.jpg?w=600 "Wild Lottery Simulation 🫨")
