The Knicks and Nuggets completed a blockbuster trade that brings All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony to New York, two NBA sources said Monday night.
It will be officially announced Tuesday.
The Knicks felt they had to include Russian center Timofey Mozgov in the deal to get it done or risk Denver trading Anthony to the Nets.
The trade was heavily pushed by Knicks owner James Dolan upon advice from loyal friend Isiah Thomas.
The Knicks are giving up a king’s ransom in the three-team deal that includes Minnesota: Mozgov, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Anthony Randolph, Eddy Curry and his expiring contract, their 2014 first-round pick, and $3 million.
The Knicks get back Anthony, Billups, Renaldo Balkman (a former first-round pick of Thomas), Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter from Denver, and Corey Brewer from Minnesota.
Curry and Randolph go to the Timberwolves, who give the Nuggets two second-round picks.
The Knicks still need to add a center with the loss of Mozgov and hope to pursue Jared Jeffries if he gets bought out by Houston, or free agent Earl Barron.
All of the maneuvering will be worth it if the Knicks land Hornets point guard Chris Paul as a 2012 free agent, which was part of the thinking.
The Knicks feel relieved they did not have to give up rookie starting shooting guard Landry Fields, whom they felt was a more key piece to protect than Gallinari, who plays Anthony’s small forward position.
Anthony stayed in Los Angeles after NBA All-Star Weekend to appear on “Conan,” taped before the deal hatched.
The scenario of teaming Stoudemire, Anthony and Paul in New York began at ‘Melo’s wedding with the point guard’s champagne toast.
Acquiring Paul or Jazz point guard Deron Williams in 2012 would add a third superstar to compete against Miami, pitting him with Amar’e Stoudemire and Anthony against the Heat trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
An NBA source said Knicks owner James Dolan was hellbent on getting Anthony to keep him from Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov, who has become a definite rival, and Dolan pushed Walsh to deal across the past two weeks.
Denver preferred the Nets’ draft-pick-laden offer but Anthony never was interested in signing a three-year, $65 million contract extension with New Jersey.
Prokhorov thought of doing the deal without Melo’s extension and taking the risk, but the Nuggets decided on taking the Knicks’ stash with
the possibility of wheeling Mozgov, Gallinari or Felton to the Nets.