LOS ANGELES — With the Nets having yet to get Carmelo Anthony’s approval to complete a trade with the Nuggets, the Knicks jumped back in the hunt for Anthony yesterday with a strong counter-offer that would cost them three key players, according to multiple sources, while finally getting Denver’s full attention.
With the belief Anthony will approve a Nets’ deal as only a last resort, the Knicks and Nuggets engaged in extensive talks yesterday and have bridged a considerable gap, with Knicks owner James Dolan leading the push behind the scenes as the Hollywood suspense lingered into the night. The Nuggets could accept the package today or tomorrow, according to a Knicks official.
Last night at Staples Center, after he coached the Rookie-Sophomore Game as part of NBA All-Star weekend, Anthony seemed genuinely pleased the Knicks struck back.
“It’s been something that’s been going on for a long time to get teams to put deals on the table,” Anthony told The Post. “For New York to step up right now and put that deal on the table, there’s obviously good dialogue.
“Obviously they feel they want me, but until I get that phone call . . .”
Dolan was in town for collective bargaining talks and the annual technology conference he always attends as part of All-Star weekend and met with Anthony Thursday night, though Anthony declined to comment. Team president Donnie Walsh is back in New York.
“Jim Dolan definitely wants Carmelo Anthony in New York,” said Amar’e Stoudemire, who doubted Anthony wants to be a Net.
The Knicks have offered Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Eddy Curry’s expiring contract for Anthony, Chauncey Billups and possibly Anthony Carter. Anthony Randolph also would be dealt to the Timberwolves for a first-round pick, which also would go to Denver. Yahoo! Sports first reported the deal’s main ingredients. It’s a proposal the Nuggets are seriously weighing, partly because of Anthony’s wariness on approving a Nets deal, a Knicks source said.
A Knicks source said there are “other elements involved” in why they made such a strong offer. It stems from the belief that if they nail Anthony now, point guard Chris Paul — who, like Anthony, is represented by CAA — will follow when he’s a 2012 free agent and Billups’ contract expires.
“They’re still in it, definitely,” one person debriefed on the talks said. “The Nets are serious, but it’s not been concluded.”
The new Knicks offer doesn’t include prized rookies Timofey Mozgov and Landry Fields, who Denver also asked for last week. Reportedly, the Nuggets told the Knicks they want Gallinari over Fields.
“It’s fluid,” a second Knicks source said. “We’re trying to stay in it. We’ll know where we stand by the end of the weekend.”
Anthony met with a media swarm in the afternoon during an availability session and spoke warmly of the Knicks, but claimed not to rule out the Nets as an option. He hoped the sweepstakes would conclude by the end of this weekend in advance of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
“I haven’t gotten sleep in a week so I want to get something done,” Anthony said. “Before I leave here, I would love to have something on the table.”
The Knicks are hopeful Anthony won’t sign with the Nets. One league source went so far as to say, “’Melo is not into New Jersey.”
Nevertheless, the Nets’ lucrative offer of four first-round picks and Derrick Favors made the Knicks act, with Paul on their future radar.
Stoudemire said he believes Anthony will turn down the Nets.
“I’d be very surprised,” Stoudemire said. “It’s hard for me to picture him in a Nets jersey. It’s a tough situation for him.”
“We played in New Jersey, it was like a home game for us, which was great. Most players would want to play with the Knicks before New Jersey.”
Anthony said he would like to meet with Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov in addition to Dolan, but that may not take place if Denver accepts the Knicks’ pitch. “I would love to sit down with Mr. Prokhorov, Mr. Dolan,” Anthony said. “I would love to sit down, look them in the eye and see what the future holds. I wan to see if Dolan is really interested in me coming to New York and see if Prokhorov is interested in me coming to Jersey.”
Stoudemire said he wants to see Anthony in a Knicks uniform.
“I definitely want to contend, more so now than later,” Stoudemire said. “Right now there’s a chance in New York we can do something great. It’s matter of us doing it sooner or later. I can’t play for 20 more years. I don’t know what Denver is asking for, but we want to keep some of the core. The combination of us two would be great.”
Anthony said he still would consider re-signing with Denver, but it appeared to be lip service, as he said Denver wants to get younger while the Knicks want to win now.
“Don’t flip it on me, but New York has something there with Amar’e,” he said. “That city is looking forward to bringing back great basketball. If that’s my destination, it’s something I can bring to that city.”
Stoudemire was asked how he would feel if the Knicks didn’t beat out the Nets for Anthony.
“You can always turn any situation into a positive one if you don’t make a move,” Stoudemire said. “The guys that are involved in the talks will continue to improve and want to get better and show the world they don’t deserve to be traded. If we did make a move, it’s another challenge of regaining the chemistry and our style of play and make a push in the playoffs.”
marc.berman@nypost.com