HOUSTON — Knicks president Donnie Walsh, one of the NBA’s smartest poker players and tactful negotiators, wasn’t rushing to call the Nuggets last night after Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov blindsided the league by saying his club had pulled out of the Carmelo Anthony talks.
Walsh said he would look into the matter Thursday and find out “if the situation has changed.”
Walsh can be patient. He has until the Feb. 24 trade deadline and can decide to pass if he feels Anthony will be a free agent in the summer.
“I’m not going to comment on what the owner of the Nets said,” Walsh told The Post on Wednesday night via phone. “And I don’t know what Denver wants to do. I’m sure tomorrow we’ll find out.”
The Nets’ apparent pullout is great news for the Knicks’ chances of landing Anthony, because they have leverage. Anthony’s preference all along has been the Knicks, but a report Wednesday said Anthony’s advisers also will attempt to steer him to Chicago.
Walsh said his talks with Denver have been limited.
“Donnie’s not comfortable in even knowing what Denver wants,” a source close to Walsh said.
CARMELO BELIEVES HE’LL BE TRADED
The Knicks appear in the driver’s seat if the Nets are indeed out of the picture and Prokhorov is not bluffing. The Rockets have been mentioned as possibilities and they are willing to do a deal without an extension.
Walsh was told by the Nuggets in preseason he would need a third team to get a deal done and it’s unclear if the Pistons, involved in the Nets’ talks, could join the fray again.
If Anthony goes to Houston, that could benefit the Knicks because the All-Star forward likely will be free this summer when the Knicks have salary-cap space and won’t have to give up assets.
NBA sources said the Nuggets probably will try to make another pitch for Anthony to sign their three-year, $65 million extension.
“I love my team,” Mike D’Antoni said before the Knicks’ 104-89 loss to the Rockets. “I like what we’re doing right now. But Donnie will take care of what he needs to take care of. He’s good at it and have all the faith in the world in him.”
A Knicks source said the club is “hopeful” the leverage is back on its side.
Prokhorov has granted the Knicks a giant gift and, if Anthony winds up with them, it will go down as one of the worst in a long line of Nets’ blunders.
“If he goes there, I have no control over that,” Prokhorov said regarding the Knicks at his press conference.
D’Antoni said, “It surprised everybody.”
The Nuggets now have to take a closer look at Danilo Gallinari, Landry Fields and restricted free agent Wilson Chandler, whom Walsh told The Post he intends to sign this summer. Chandler could be a turnoff for the Nuggets because his rep is expected to seek a five-year, $60 million deal.
Eddy Curry’s expiring contract would also have to be included. Anthony Randolph could be shipped to Minnesota for a first-round pick that the Knicks would have to give to Denver.
A source said Walsh, whose priority this summer is adding a legitimate starting center (possibly restricted free agent Marc Gasol), is not willing to open up weaknesses and give up so many parts that it makes the team worse.
D’Antoni, with a cat-ate-the-canary grin, realizes the Anthony speculation regarding the Knicks will heat up more. But he said before the Houston game, “That’s fantasy basketball. I’m in reality.”
Asked if he wouldn’t want a big trade because he “loves” the team, D’Antoni said, “No, don’t put words [in my mouth].”
Knicks brass quietly waited for the Anthony-to-Nets deal to either fall apart or come to fruition. But earlier this season, Walsh made an interesting remark regarding a big move.
“It depends on how you see the team and what they need,” Walsh said then. “If that player is available and you don’t have to destroy the whole team, you consider it.”