In case the Nets’ deal with Carmelo Anthony falls through, Knicks president Donnie Walsh is preparing to have something in place to entice the Nuggets as a fallback.
An Internet report surfaced last night the Knicks reached out to Memphis to inquire whether the Grizzlies would be willing to include O.J. Mayo in a three-way trade for Anthony.
Nevertheless, a Knicks top-level official told The Post it is not a serious discussion and Denver has not even been brought into it. Even the report called talks in their “infancy.”
The attempt is a sign, however, that Walsh realizes the sweepstakes for Anthony could be reaching a conclusion with the Nets winning out and wants to make sure he covers his bases.
Walsh, however, is reluctant to break up his team for Anthony, hoping he waits until summer.
It may also be a sign of Anthony’s team of advisors’ desperate attempt to let the Nets know the Knicks are in the on-deck circle as they try to finalize a three-team trade with Detroit and Denver. Anthony could spoil the Nets’ deal by refusing to sign the extension.
Back in November, Walsh was told by Denver a third team probably would be needed for a deal to go through because they weren’t thrilled with the Knicks’ young assets and lack of first-round picks to offer.
Sources believe the Nuggets have slightly more interest because of the good play of Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Landry Fields. However, Chandler is a restricted free agent and the Nuggets may not value him as a $10-plus million a year player, which he is expected to seek.
Walsh can get a first-round pick from Minnesota for Anthony Randolph, but is not looking to burn all his young assets in a trade for Anthony. Walsh may need them over the summer in a sign-and-trade when he seeks a starting center, with restricted free agents DeAndre Jordan and Marc Gasol on the radar.
The Knicks’ ideal scenario is Anthony spurns the Nets and takes a leap of faith by becoming a free-agent this summer when the Knicks have cap space. But Anthony said last month at the Garden he wants to sign an extension and not risk free agency under a new CBA.
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Amar’e Stoudemire
and Toney Douglas
will run a clinic at the Knicks’ Westchester practice facility tomorrow to benefit the Court of Dreams Foundation, which raises money to restore outdoor courts in low-income neighborhoods in NYC.