Let's Hear it for New York!!!!

The deed is finally done and the Knicks have pulled the blockbuster to get the slightly disgruntled Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets.  The Minnesota Timberwolves were pulled into the deal at the last moment to facilitate. Here are the particulars:

New York Knicks
Get: Carmelo Anthony, Renaldo Balkman, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter, and Corey Brewer

Denver Nuggets
Get: Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks 1st round pick (2014), the Warriors 2nd round pick (2012 and 2013), and $3M in cash.


Minnesota Timberwolves
Get: Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry

My take on the Knicks:  On the surface, this was a lot to give up.  I'm with Charles Barkley on this one, Melo ain't Jordan, why would you give that many players up?  We know that the Knicks HAD to do this deal to get Melo because if it would have gone down that the Knicks lost out on this because they didn't want to part with Mozgov (a piece the Nuggets wanted) they would have revolted in the streets.They finally got their guy, but it also seems as though they'll lose Walsh and gain Zeke (once again).  I'm not sure that everyone should be excited about that end of the deal.  Billups and Anthony make this team a little dangerous right now.  They are going to have to gel, but until the wheels fall off or they're able to convince a PG to come to New York, the Knicks will be alright.  

My take on the Nuggets:  Well, I have to admit that the Nets deal was a better deal, but with the uncertainty that Melo would have signed an extension with the Nets, they had to do this.  Chandler is a restricted free agent and may end up being a fall back if the Nuggets chose not to re-sign the mercurial J.R. Smith.  Raymond Felton makes George Karl a collector of former UNC point guards, and Felton can be 'the guy'.  He's a bigger version of Ty Lawson.  Gallinari can step in and provide some scoring, but I'm not sure how much of a 'player' he'll ever be.  I actually like Mozgov and when given time in D'Antoni's system he's actually played well.  You can't teach height.

My take on the Timberwolves:  They were the facilitator and got a good talent in Anthony Randolph and they got Eddy Curry's expiring contract.  Randolph has not yet been put in a position to succeed in the NBA, but maybe the Timberwolves can find a way.  Plus the cap relief for the Timberwolves will be big since they are going to have to overpay for someone to actually want to come there and play. 


Who got the best of this trade?  Is Carmelo worth it?  Can they win if they aren't able to get anyone else because of the new collective bargaining agreement?  Why did this thing drag out like this?