A new report surfaced following yesterday’s 129-125 victory over the Nuggets that Carmelo Anthony recently told the Nuggets that he will only agree to a extend-and-trade with the Knicks, directly conflicting Denver general manager Masai Ujiri’s statements earlier in the day.
Ujiri, at the Garden for the Carmelo Bowl, said Anthony has told him he still could sign a contract extension that would keep him a Denver Nugget for years.
However, the new report states Anthony only will sign an extension with the Knicks, seemingly ruling out the Nets and the Nuggets.
After the game, Anthony revealed he is not interested in becoming a free agent in July and risking a lockout and new CBA. Anthony indicated he would either sign the three-year, $65 million extension with the Nuggets or be traded to the team of his choice.
“Whatever decision I make, that’s going to be the first thing that gets done,” Anthony said of an extension.
When told he can be traded as a rental, Anthony said: “I don’ think so. I don’t think that would happen.”
The Post reported in October, Anthony told Knicks superfan Spike Lee the Knicks are far and away his No. 1 choice and their historic 13-1 roll has probably increased his interest. It was noteworthy how Anthony gushed about the Knicks after the game.
With the Knicks at 16-9, on pace to win 50-plus games, they appear to have enough appealing assets to put together a trade — with Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and rookie of the year candidate Landry Fields, even without having a first-round pick to offer. Eddy Curry and Kelenna Azubuike’s expiring contract could also be used and Anthony Randolph still is a pawn despite his depleted status here.
Ujiri said he had a good relationship with Knicks brass, having even worked as international scout for Knicks player personnel director John Gabriel when he ran the Orlando Magic.
“Obviously in our business, I’ve talked to them,” Ujiri said. “I know Donnie Walsh well, Glen Grunwald, Allan Houston. My first job was with John Gabriel.”
Meanwhile, Ujiri told a throng of reporters that Anthony’s sentiment is different than when he came aboard. “I think it’s encouraging that he says that (he’s open to re-signing),” Ujiri said. “From when I got on board until now, that’s encouraging. We have had a lot communication.
“I’m sure everybody thought he’d be gone at training camp,” Ujiri added. “It’s promising that he’s still here.”
Ujiri said his relationship with Melo has grown because of the contract issue. Anthony has passed on signing a three-year, $65 million contract extension and the Nuggets are expected to trade him by the Feb. 24 deadline.
Ujiri hopes his relationship with Anthony will help sway Anthony.
“We’ve always had a good relationship but obviously we’re closer [now],” Ujiri said. “We’re on the same team. This makes us closer regardless of which way it goes.”
“I’m still assessing the situation,” Ujiri said. “I’m still figuring out a lot of stuff. I have a special relationship with the kid.”