Carmelo Anthony: Last July, The Knicks Could Have Signed Melo and Traded For Chris Paul

After months of speculation and rumors, Carmelo Anthony has finally been traded to the New York Knicks in a massive three-team deal involving 12 players.

With a lineup that now features two of the 15 best players, a championship winning point guard in Chauncey Billups and super rookie Landry Fields, the Knicks haven't had this much star power since the 20th century.

The Knicks gave up a lot of good players to get Carmelo, but they could have still acquired him and kept a great supporting cast if something different had happened in 2006.

Under this scenario the Knicks would not have only been able to sign Carmelo, but also completed a trade for a player like Chris Paul.

In July 2006, Lebron James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade all signed contract extensions that kept them with their current teams for at least four more seasons.

Carmelo signed a contract extension as well, but he would have to wait at least one more season to test free agency than his 2003 draft classmates.

Last summer, the NBA arguably had its most groundbreaking offseason ever led by Lebron and Bosh joining Wade in South Beach.

The Chicago Bulls added Carlos Boozer to give them a championship caliber trio, and Amar'e Stoudemire signed with the Knicks.

Stoudemire's arrival gave New York it's biggest basketball star since Patrick Ewing's arrival in 1985.

After years of clearing cap space and tanking seasons the Knicks finally had a superstar, but expected to add a second to go along with Stoudemire.

The Knicks had the cap space to add a second star, but had to settle for a combination of Raymond Felton and Timofey Mosgov with Lebron in South Beach.

Had Carmelo signed a contract extension of a different length back in 2006, the Knicks could have used that cap space to sign him last summer.

Assuming the David Lee sign-and-trade was still completed to obtain Anthony Randolph and Kelenna Azubuike, the Knicks would have entered the 2010-2011 NBA season with a team featuring two superstars and an intriguing young supporting cast. Maybe they would have still signed Timofey Mosgov if they had left over cap space.

Starting Lineup

C: Amar'e Stoudemire / Ronny Turiaf

PF: Anthony Randolph / Shawne Williams

SF: Carmelo Anthony  / Danilo Gallinari / Kelenna Azubuike

SG: Landry Fields / Wilson Chandler / Bill Walker

PG: Toney Douglas

With or without Paul, this is easily a top-four team in the East, but still not a championship favorite.

There were reports that Paul and Anthony were already conspiring to join Amar'e in New York based on the report of a toast Paul made at Anthony's wedding this summer. It was widely reported that Paul was looking to be traded early this season.

Had the Knicks signed Carmelo and Amar'e to go along with that supporting cast, they would have been in position to give the New Orleans Hornets a good trade offer for Paul. The Hornets certainly would have listened to a trade offer centered around Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, the expiring contract of Eddy Curry (a key part for the Carmelo trade) along with some draft picks.

Paul and New Orleans eventually settled their dispute, but he could have eventually forced his way to New York. Even if the Knicks don't complete a trade like that for Paul, a similar deal could have been proposed down the road to a team like the Utah Jazz or Orlando Magic.

Here's what their roster could have looked like with a trade for Paul. They have a championship starting five and a decent bench.

C: Amare Stoudemire / Ronny Turiaf

PF: Anthony Randolph / Shawne Wlliams

SF: Carmelo Anthony / Kelenna Azubuike

SG: Landry Fields* / Bill Walker

PG: Chris Paul / Toney Douglas

*Wasn't seen a rookie star back in July.

The Knicks' management is happy right now about having two superstars on their roster. It is inevitable that there will continue to be speculation about the Knicks bringing a third star to the Garden, whether it's Paul, Deron Williams or Dwight Howard.

If a third star is acquired, it will most likely be through a trade centered around Billups' contract that expires in 2012 and Landry Fields. I don't see how the Knicks can sign a big-time free agent with at least $35 million tied up to Carmelo and Amar'e.

NBA history is filled with tons of "what if" scenarios. Some these scenarios, such as what if the Portland Trail Blazers had drafted Michael Jordan and what if Shaquille O'Neal never left Orlando, are pondered by many fans. What if Carmelo became a free agent in 2010 will quickly join that list.