The New York Knicks got their man on Monday night, finalizing a trade to bring Carmelo Anthony to New York after months of speculation. The cost for Anthony and the pieces that came with him was sky-high, with New York sending six players and three draft picks total to the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. With the Knicks going all-in on Anthony, the move appeared to be a break from the previous talk coming from general manager Donnie Walsh, who had been ready to ride out the storm and wait for the Nuggets to cave.
Carmelo Anthony Trade Terms All Isiah Thomas, Not Donnie Walsh, According To Report
According to Yahoo! Sports, Walsh wasn’t sold on giving up everything for Anthony, but felt pressure from Isiah Thomas and James Dolan. In multiple tweets, Adrian Wojnarowski laid out the details, and speculated about what may have gone on behind the scenes.
Donnie Walsh ally says of steep price paid for Melo: “This is all Dolan. All Isiah. All (Worldwide) Wes and Leon Rose...” Donnie Walsh always believed the Knicks could be patient, preserve roster, and keep financial flexibility. He didn’t suddenly change mind. Walsh believed the Knicks could adhere to those principles, and still get ‘Melo. All that went out the window, with Isiah/CAA pushing Dolan.
It’s clear the Knicks almost had to make this move from a public relations standpoint. If the New Jersey Nets had secured Anthony, the Knicks would take a big hit in the eyes of the public, playing second-fiddle to the Nets. But with Anthony always preferring to play in New York, did the Knicks have to give up as much as they did? It appears Walsh didn’t think so and was at odds with the higher-ups and major players.
For more on the deal, check out our Carmelo Anthony trade StoryStream.
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