(Journal Entry: Day 8) Don't Let Timofey Get In The Way

It's been the big question throughout the whole NBA season: where will Carmelo Anthony end up by the Feb. 24 trading deadline?

As we know, the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets are the teams most interested in Anthony's services, and are willing to part with their most premium talent to acquire him. It's openly known that Anthony, who's from New York and attended Syracuse University, wants to play for the Knicks. However, no matter what either team offers to the Denver Nuggets for Anthony, it's still his call on whether he'll decide to approve of the trade, as he must sign a three-year, $65 million contract extension with whichever team acquires him, a prerequisite he has lain down. Anthony has never said he'd sign an extension with the Nets. He's only said he'd sign with the Knicks.

After meeting with both the Knicks and Nets in Los Angeles during All-Star Weekend this past weekend, Anthony declined comment on both meetings, simply stating that they "went well." Nets' owner Mikhail Prokhorov described the meeting as "fantastic" and added that "I think we made a very good tactical decision to force (the) Knicks to pay as much as they can. So it's very good, it's very interesting, it's very competitive."

While in Los Angeles, it's believed that Knicks' owner James Dolan met with Anthony and also upped the Knicks' offer for Anthony. The Nets, whose package is openly known to be preferred by the Nuggets, includes rookie phenom Derrick Favors, All-Star Devin Harris, Troy Murphy (expiring contract), Ben Uzoh and four, yup, FOUR first-round picks. In return, the Nuggets would send Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Melvin Ely and Rendlo Balkman to New Jersey.

Knowing this, the Knicks have upped their offer to include (according to sources) budding star Danilo Gallinari, the warrior-attitude play of Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler and the Knicks' 2014 first-round draft pick. With the Knicks' deal, a third team, in this case the Minnesota Timberwolves, would also be involved in the trade, as they would land Anthony Randolph and the expiring contract of Eddy Curry, while sending Corey Brewer to Denver. In return, the Knicks would acquire Anthony, Billups, Williams and Balkman.

Confused?

KNICKS RECEIVE: Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Renaldo Balkman
NUGGETS RECEIVE: Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Corey Brewer, Knicks' 2014 first-round pick
TWOLVES RECEIVE: Anthony Randolph, Eddy Curry

So while the Knicks have made their declared "final offer," The Nuggets have openly stated that they will not trade Anthony to New York unless young center Timofey Mozgov, just 24, is also included in the deal. The Knicks have been resistant to include Mozgov in a deal for Anthony. However, because they refuse to trade All-Star rookie Landry Fields (phew), Mozgov would ideally be the piece that the Knicks have to sacrifice. According to reports, it's been mulled in the Knicks' front office on whether to trade Mozgov, as sides are split. Most New York sports media outlets suggest that Mozgov should be traded.

As for me, I think that the Knicks should trade Mozgov and go all-in for Anthony. The chance to acquire Carmelo Anthony is a premium chance, and Mozgov should not prevent the Knicks from acquiring the piece they've needed all along to combine with the MVP play of Amar'e Stoudemire. Acquiring Anthony would lure other NBA stars to play in Madison Square Garden alongside Anthony and Stoudemire. The 2012 free agent class, which is loaded with stars such as Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Deron Williams, could be intrigued by the Knicks' chances to win with Anthony and Stoudemire. Paul and Williams have already stated previous times that they would play alongside the duo.

Yes, there's a chance that Mozgov (who's getting barely any playing time) could become a very, very good player, but Carmelo is an excellent player right now. Anthony, 26, is just two years older than Mozgov, and a lot more accomplished. Melo is a winner, and Mozgov is unproven.

Even if Mozgov did meet this expectations, the Knicks, who would not only have Melo, Stoudemire and Fields but also could have one or two of Williams/Howard/Paul, would still be a way better team. Not trading Mozgov prevents this dream.

Trading Mozgov allows the Knicks to get Melo. Trading Mozgov allows the Knicks to get better.

But, if the Knicks' refusal to include Mozgov makes them lose out on Anthony... then he better turn out to be the star they're projecting him to be.

Mark my words, come Thursday, Carmelo Anthony will be a New York Knick.

(This was an article I've been working on for the past couple of days, thanks for reading!)