skyhookii

This is a rare trade where one team immediately improves (Knicks) and the other has a legit chance of rebuilding (Nuggets). I agree that the Knicks are giving up a lot for Carmelo on paper, but if you think about it, it's worth the return.

1. Amar'e, alone, makes the Knicks a playoff team at best. He definitely needed Carmelo's arrival to make a run for the championship.

2. The biggest piece the Knicks gave away is probably Wilson Chandler, who is becoming a star. However, he becomes a restricted(?) free agent this summer and is likely going to want at least USD 10m a season from the Knicks, which is too much of an overpay in my opinion. He was going to leave anyway, so why not trade him for a top-ten talent in Carmelo?

3. Chauncey Billups is a better leader than Raymond Felton, no matter how old he is. I believe he can run the D'Antoni offense better than Felton did.