On the day the Nets accumulated two more first-round picks, potentially to satisfy Denver’s thirst for draft picks in exchange for Carmelo Anthony, Knicks president Donnie Walsh sounded undaunted.
Walsh, not speaking directly about the Anthony sweepstakes, said he is very capable of making a trade to acquire a first-round pick.
Walsh was asked about his training-camp remark that he would attempt to acquire one.
“I’m feeling very confident we can be in position to get a first-round pick if we want it,” Walsh told The Post before the Knicks’ 118-116 loss to the Celtics last night at the Garden.
The Knicks are not eligible to trade a first-round pick until 2014, because they gave up their 2012 pick to Houston in a trade for Tracy McGrady.
The Knicks’ inability to offer up multiple picks is a hindrance in a Nuggets package. The Knicks obtained the Lakers’ first-round pick in 2009 for $3 million and drafted Toney Douglas, and owner James Dolan likely would be willing to fork over that kind of money again if it means it helps them get Anthony.
Meanwhile, Anthony Randolph is on the block since falling out of the rotation and he’s available for a first-rounder if need be.
Walsh said Nets general manager Billy King probably made yesterday’s three-team deal with the Lakers and Houston not just with Anthony in mind.
“Billy’s going to rebuild the team through the draft, and he can use those draft choices to trade with other players,” Walsh said.
Though it’s clear the Nets can offer Denver more than the Knicks can in terms of draft picks, it all comes down to whether Anthony wants to play for the Nets. An Internet report cited a source who said Anthony only will agree to an extend-and-trade with the Knicks and a source told The Post in October Anthony’s No. 1 choice is far and away the Knicks.
Anthony made a telling remark after Saturday’s practice at the Reebok Club on the Upper West Side when he raised the possibility of the Nets not getting out of the “Lakers-Clippers” rut — even after the move to Brooklyn in two years.
“We shall see,” Anthony said of the Nets’ move to Brooklyn. “A lot of people are waiting for that team to move to Brooklyn to see how it’s going to turn out — if it’s going to be a Lakers-Clippers situation or what.”
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One reason the Knicks are in the market for a backup ballhandler is that Toney Douglas (five points, one assist) is continuing to play hurt, a source said. Douglas has been battling a sore back since November and now a chronic shoulder injury that he has played through.
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Celtics coach Doc Rivers raved about rookie Landry Fields, saying he has been overlooked in keying the Knicks’ 16-10 start.
“It’s rare a rookie understands his role like he does,” Rivers said.
Fields had six points and six rebounds last night.
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Danilo Gallinari scored all 20 of his points in the second half, including two reverse dunks. . . . Amar’e Stoudemire has nine straight 30-plus games. Last player to get to 10 was LeBron James (2006). . . . It was Knicks’ first loss since Nov. 27 in Atlanta.