The latest Carmelo Anthony trade rumors perked up over the weekend, with two separate reports pointing at a deal that would send the Denver Nuggets' All-Star forward to the New York Knicks for a package including Wilson Chandler, at least one first-round pick and the Minnesota Timberwolves' Corey Brewer. Those rumors have been deflated on grounds that the Timberwolves don't think they ought to give up Brewer and pick for the expiring contract of Eddy Curry and enigmatic forward Anthony Randolph.
ESPN's Chris Broussard reported that the trade could happen by the middle of this week, but his colleague Ric Bucher later reported that the Wolves would not be amenable to the deal. Brewer has struggled since the Wolves made him the No. 7 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, but Curry is dead weight, Randolph is a question mark and Minnesota values its draft picks.
Randolph has long been considered a key cog in a potential 'Melo acquisition for the Knicks. The Wolves are among the teams interested in trading for the third-year forward, with the Knicks reportedly looking for a first-round pick in 2011 or 2012 in such a deal. If the Knicks acquire a 2011 first-round pick, New York could then flip that selection to the Nuggets in a 'Melo deal. Should the Knicks pick up a 2012 pick, however, they could then use their own 2011 and 2013 picks to get Anthony.
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