Crazy Trade of the Day

How do the New York Knicks end up with both Carmelo Anthony and Steve Nash? Here’s how they do it…

Why Denver does it?

Carmelo wants out and everyone knows it. Nuggets’ management has made it known that they want to free up some space, get some young talent and get a pick or two. With this deal, they free up space by acquiring the expiring contracts of Eddy Curry, Wilson Chandler and Grant Hill. They get the, “young talent” by picking Danillo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler. The Knicks would also have to throw in one or two future first round picks to complete the deal.

Why Phoenix does it?

This one is a little more difficult to rationalize. Nash has worked long and hard in Phoenix making them a perennial playoff team; unfortunately, their window has now closed. This is no way for Steve Nash, a two time MVP, to finish his career. If you are Phoenix, don’t you do all that you can to satisfy Nash? Even if it means he wants out?

When Amare left, the entire team dynamic changed. Whether they want to admit it or not, Phoenix is in a rebuilding phase, so the only contracts they would take back would be expiring contracts. With Nash, Jason Richardson, Ronny Turiaf, JR Smith and Kelenna Azubuike coming off the books at the end of the year, they free up approximately $39 million for next season.

I admit, that this is the most unrealistic aspect of this deal. The only way this happens is if you have a cheap owner who wants to make Steve Nash happy. Wait a second….Sarver may be just the guy to do it.

Why New York does it?

I’m not sure I really need to explain anything here regarding Carmelo…He’s a superstar who wants to be in New York – you go after him.

But why Nash? Don’t you just wait another year and attempt to sign Chris Paul? No, no you don’t. First off, there is no guarantee that CP3 will sign with New York in a year. He is, supposedly, one of LeBron James’ best friends – don’t you think he saw the backlash that came about because LBJ left Cleveland? Do you think he wants to go through that as well? New Orleans is a great sports city, that embraces their superstars. It may be tougher to leave town than he thinks.

Second, Nash knows the D’Antoni system better than anyone else in the league. He’s played in it and he has been successful in it. Oh yeah, he’s played with that Amare guy before as well and it seemed to go pretty well the first time.

Finally, Nash admittedly loves the city of New York. If you are a GM, you love getting a player that loves the city they play for. Nash will have no problem going out and being amongst the citizens of NYC and they will have no problem embracing Nash. It is a match made in heaven.

Does it happen?

No…not a chance. It is hard enough to trade for just ONE superstar, let alone two. However, the way things are going, the Knicks may realize that the only shot they have at landing Melo is signing him as a free agent. If that is the case, they would ultimately have greater pieces to send to Phoenix for Nash.