New York Knicks 411: Bringing Al Harrington Back To The Knicks Can Alleviate the Losses of Chandler and Gallinari In A Trade For Carmelo

The NBA trade deadline is approaching slowly, but surely. The Knicks are floundering and are creeping back down to the .500 mark. Players are banged up, and the captain sent a message to his team yesterday, calling his team out. At the same time Captain Amare's production is noticeably slowing down, most notably his rebounding numbers have taken a dive. The team's chemistry, mentally, is taking a hit and Coach D'Antoni feels he has to come to the defense of his teams' poor play by pleading with fans not to chant "We Want Carmelo!" during games. But Mike must understand that if the Knicks were playing great against teams like the Clippers, fans would not have to make the call for reinforcements.

But the fact is at the moment, is the Knicks are playing mediocre basketball and that will only heat up trade talks further. Currently there is a proposed trade on the table between the Knicks, Nuggets, and Timberwolves that has at least started to put the Knicks in position to acquire Carmelo Anthony. The proposed trade would bring Carmelo to the Knicks. Corey Brewer, Wilson Chandler, and Minnesota's first round pick would go to Denver, and the Timberwolves would get Eddy Curry's expiring contract and Anthony Randolph. But both of the Knicks trading partners do not feel like they are getting enough out of the deal currently on the table.

Denver wants a Danilo Gallinari or Landry Fields added and at the same time are looking to cut down payroll, so Chancey Billups, Al Harrington, Chris Anderson, and Renaldo Balkman's names have come up as players the Nuggets would like to deal. And the Timberwolves don't feel like they should give up a first round pick and Corey Brewer for Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry(they'd rather just trade AR for the pick straight up). Personally, as a Knicks fan, I don't like the idea of giving up, Chandler, Gallo, and AR without an 'appetizer' to Carmelo's 'main course meal'. I personally believe that acquiring both Al Harrington along with Carmelo can alleviate some of the worries the Knicks and fans may have in losing Gallo, AR, and Chandler. Al Harrington played very well while with the Knicks, and already has a feel of Mike D'Antoni's system. He would be a superb back up to Amar'e. Also having Amar'e, Carmelo, and Harrington on the floor would make a great scoring trio with size and good rebounding prowess. Harrington is also shooting 38% from 3 point range.

Line-up Option 1 Line-up Option 2 (Fast Line-up)
PG: Felton PG: Felton
SG: Fields SG: Fields
SF: Anthony SF: Anthony
PF: Stoudermire PF: Harrington
C: Mozgov/Turiaf C : Stoudermire

Denver won't feel like the Knicks got the better of them by NY giving up two of their highest touted young talent in Gallinari and Chandler, and acquiring a first round pick. The year 2012 can be the summer of Chris Paul or Deron Williams and Danilo Gallinari for the Knicks, if Danilo would like to finish his career in New York.

Roger Mason Jr.'s name has come up as a possible addition to the trade.To make Minnesota content enough to give up Brewer and take Curry's contract, the Knicks may need to give good faith offering to Minnesota in the form of a Toney Douglas, Roger Mason Jr., or Bill Walker. Douglas would be worth the sacrifice if the Nuggets are willing to throw in Anthony Carter's expiring contract. Carter also would give them an experienced point guard to come off the bench. Andy Rautins could emerge as a positive contributor if Douglas is traded. This will also allow the Knicks to showcase Rautins to see how he can be an impact on the Knicks in the future. I like the idea of giving up Mason Jr. much more than Douglas, but either deal works. Just get it done Knicks!

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4kb23d3

This Trade is Successful!

New Trade