Melo Headed To New York

A long-awaited trade that would send all-star SF Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks has finally been completed. The blockbuster deal includes 12 players, 3 teams, 3 draft picks, and 3 million in cash. Yahoo sports has more.

The Denver Nuggets have finally completed their long-awaited trade to send Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks.

The Knicks are sending Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, the Knicks’ 2014 first-round pick, two second-round picks New York acquired from the Golden State Warriors in the David Lee sign-and-trade and $3 million. The Knicks will also trade Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry’s expiring contract to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who will send Corey Brewer to the Nuggets. The Knicks will receive Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams and Renaldo Balkman and Anthony Carter.

The Nuggets requested on Saturday that the Knicks also include center Timofey Mozgov in their trade package and New York complied.

Anthony is expected to sign a three-year, $65 million extension with the Knicks. If all the players involved in the trade report on time and pass physicals, Anthony’s first game with the Knicks is expected to be Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=mc-anthonyknicks022111

Finally, an end to all this off court drama. My biggest issue with NBA coverage is how much of it is dedicated to the future and not the present. Where will "superstar" player go next? Will "superstar" request a trade? Etc. etc.

Last year in the finals, there was an epic 7 game series between the two most storied franchises in league history. Yet, it seemed that LeBron James, and where he would sign as a free agent, received more coverage than an incredible series. The all-star weekend was fun, yet the Melo drama was thrown in the face of any NBA fan that wanted to tune in.

Don't get me wrong, I understand it's a huge story that needs to be covered. However, does it need to be covered for an entire season? Coverage leading up to the trade deadline is expected and would seem natural, if not for the 24/7 coverage given to the Melo drama since training camp last October.

Overall, the trade might help New York in the long term depending on the structure of the next collective bargaining agreement. In the short term, it doesn't make the Knicks a contender. Mike D'Antoni's team has had no shortage of offense. Carmelo Anthony gives them even more. The issue with the Knicks all year has been defense, and this trade does not help them on that end of the floor. As for this season, New York will still be behind Boston, Miami, Chicago, and Orlando in the East.