Knicks get Anthony; Bulls likely standing pat

The NBA trading deadline couldn’t get here soon enough for all of those who couldn’t stand another day of the endless Carmelo Anthony melodrama.

After months of negotiations, Anthony appeared to finally find a new home late Monday night. The Denver Post reported the Nuggets had traded Anthony to the New York Knicks.

How does this news affect the Bulls, with the trade deadline looming Thursday? Probably not at all in the short term, but if the playoffs began today, the Bulls and the Knicks would match up in the first round.

The full deal reportedly sends Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Renaldo Balkman, Shelden Williams and Anthony Carter to the Knicks. The Nuggets will get Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Russian center Timofey Mozgov, along with New York’s 2014 first-round pick.

There was talk that Minnesota would send a first-round pick and swingman Corey Brewer to Denver, while collecting Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry’s expiring contract from the Knicks.

Anthony reportedly met with both the Knicks and the Nets during the all-star break.

The Nuggets seemed to prefer New Jersey’s offer of rookie Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, cap relief and draft picks. The holdup was Anthony’s reluctance to commit to a contract extension with the future Brooklyn residents.

Why would the Knicks gut their starting lineup now when they could sign Anthony as a free agent this summer? Because Anthony wants to sign an extension before the collective-bargaining agreement expires.

The other thought is New York might have put itself in position to complete a three-star lineup in 2012 by adding Chris Paul or Deron Williams as a free agent. That will depend on the salary-cap rules in the next CBA.

Denver is expected to move some of the ex-Knicks, perhaps even to New Jersey, before the deadline strikes Thursday afternoon.

The Bulls will proceed with caution, for several reasons. They’re already getting a trade-deadline addition when center Joakim Noah returns this week from a right thumb injury. They also don’t want to mess with a strong team chemistry and are willing to part with few assets in a trade.

At the same time, the Bulls realize the window of opportunity is open. Boston is old, Miami’s chemistry is unproven, and Orlando took a step back with a retooled lineup.

Are the Bulls one smart move away from reaching the NBA Finals this season? Hard to say, but a significant Bulls move is a longshot.

Felton is likely to move again, but he played point guard for the Knicks and the Bulls’ most obvious need is an upgrade at shooting guard.

Denver may now be ready to unload dynamic, but erratic, shooting guard J.R. Smith.

In a trade, the Bulls would have to send a player or two back in order to match Smith’s $6 million salary. Smith is a talent, but adding a potentially volatile personality to the locker room at midseason would be a challenge they may not want to accept.

The most likely move for the Bulls would be to add a player who accepts a buyout from his current team before March 1. The options will be limited, though.

The hottest name in buyout talk is New Jersey center Troy Murphy, who is a good rebounder, quality 3-point shooter and poor defender. The Bulls are not expected to be in the mix.

If Murphy becomes a free agent, he likely will look at Miami, Orlando, San Antonio and Boston first.

A couple of players who might be available at a low price are Cleveland’s Anthony Parker, a Naperville native, and the Clippers’ Rasual Butler. Both are streaky 3-point shooters and likely better defenders than Kyle Korver.

Another conceivable addition is Cleveland’s Jamario Moon, an experienced small forward who could come in handy in a playoff series against Miami. New Jersey’s Sasha Vujacic has playoff experience with the Lakers, but his shot selection can be an issue.

AOL Fanhouse reported the Bulls will try out four D-League hopefuls today, but adding a player on a 10-day contract probably is not imminent.

The moments leading to the trade deadline figure to be calm for the Bulls. They will be listening closely, though, for opportunities.