With reports that Knicks owner James Dolan is now spearheading negotiations for Carmelo Anthony, it seems like the Knickerbockers are increasing their offer to Denver to counter the Nets standing (and seemingly agreed upon deal) of Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, Ben Uzoh, Troy Murphy and four first round draft picks.
However, there’s a feeling from some that with Mikhail Prokhorov now in Los Angeles, and the Nuggets still preferring the Nets offer to the Knicks, that Anthony will follow the dollar bills to Newark. Chris Mannix writes:
Will it happen? Probably. Prokhorov didn’t fly thousands of miles to watch Favors compete in the Rookie-Sophomore Challenge. At some point, in the midst of all the madness, the two men will find a quiet room to have a conversation, and the real bargaining can begin. Despite what has become an obvious desire to play for the Knicks, several rival executives have told SI.com they believe Anthony will ultimately agree to sign a long-term extension with the Nets for the simple reason that, as one executive said, “Anthony is all about the money.”
After watching this blow up on the Nets twice before, I still can’t shake the feeling that this is all about Denver using the Nets for leverage in their talks with the Knicks. If Anthony senses he’s close to going to his preferred destination, unless Denver tells him explicitly the Knicks deal is off the table, why would he consider coming to the Nets. That’s not even considering how the Nets, as Mannix writes, are pulling a Ricky Williams type deal here for the guy. The Nets are never getting any further than the first or maybe second round of the playoffs with a team built around ‘Melo, and so much can change with the CBA you can’t bank on the Nets being able to attract a Chris Paul or Deron Williams in 2012. I still don’t get why 42 wins a 6th seed in 2011-12 (if there is a 2011-12), essentially what the Knicks are headed towards now with Amare, is such a desired destination for some Nets fans and for the front office.
