The following is from Frank Isola of the New York Daily News (via ESPN.com).
(Isiah) Thomas has convinced (James) Dolan that he can deliver Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks next summer – assuming the All-Star forward doesn’t sign a three-year, $65 million contract extension with Denver. With the Knicks failing to sign LeBron James last month, Dolan’s faith in team president Donnie Walsh and head coach Mike D’Antoni has waned, particularly when it comes to recruiting today’s young players. It is Thomas’ thinking that if he can land Anthony or a player such as New Orleans point guard Chris Paul, it will enhance his tarnished image among Knicks fans and potentially clear the way for him to return to take over the club again. Dolan’s telling statement last Wednesday all but guarantees Thomas playing a role.
So Isiah Thomas can restore his reputation by bringing Melo to the Knicks? As Tom Haberstroh and I noted last week, Carmelo Anthony is not worth the money the Nuggets have offered. But Anthony does fit the profile of the “star” players Isiah Thomas consistently brought to New York when he was in charge.
These statements suggest that Isiah Thomas and the Knicks still haven’t figured out why the Knicks failed to succeed with Isiah in charge. Maybe someone needs to write a book about this :)
– DJ
P.S. And yes, if Isiah could land Chris Paul, then this is a different story. One senses from the article, though, that Thomas and the Knicks see Melo as the better player. At least, the focus of the article is on Anthony.
Wages of Wins Journal 
some dude
August 15, 2010
with or without Isiah, their #1 target is going to be Carmelo.
Let’s be real here. The Knicks are not relevant and Melo would make them relevant. Melo is a superstar even if the numbers don’t confirm it. Perception = reality in this case.
nerdnumbers
August 15, 2010
DJ,
I for one think Isiah is a great asset to the Knicks. In fact from your book it looks like he is good at getting players at below market value and can help improve them. I disagree with this post and think the Knicks should listen to him as much as possible.
(Sssh! The Nuggets may actually lose Melo, don’t you ruin this for me! :) )
dcrockett17
August 15, 2010
Anything Isola writes should be taken with a HUGE grain of salt. Even when his facts are correct his spin is usually wrong.
Thank goodness Thomas won’t be a part of NY’s future in an official capacity… for now.
Italian Stallion
August 16, 2010
IMO the biggest risk for the Knicks is not bringing in Anthony or paying him a max contract. I think D’Antoni would make him a more efficient scorer on a team loaded with a lot of offensive weapons that’s running up and down the court. The risk is that they would give up way too much young talent and go backwards.
todd2
August 16, 2010
If I was a Knicks fan I’d be worrying about Dolan at this point. Walsh is competent and D’Antoni has a proven track record. He needs to sit in his luxury box and look pretty and let them do their jobs. I like what they’ve done to date. Point guard is the only real question mark. Raymond Felton should flourish in their system and this is probably going to be a make-or-break year for him. Otherwise it’s going to be point guard by committee and I think they have the personnel to do that as well. I’m pulling for them this year. Now, if they hadn’t traded those draft picks…
Mark N
August 16, 2010
I think one should differentiate Isiah’s evaluation of unproven talent and his evaluation of NBA players as far as trading for them. I would say that he is good at drafting, but not at trading for talent. The players he traded for mostly or all seem to fit the mold of high volume scorers that are over rated in what they do for a basketball team in terms of wins. The players he drafted are very different and much more variable. Think of David Lee, Marcus Camby,and Renaldo Balkman. Historically, he has gotten significant value out of low draft, where many teams get very little of use. As a Knicks fan, I hope he advises on drafting, but not on trades
Mark N
August 16, 2010
To clarify, by “low draft” I meant later on draft picks worse or much worse than lottery picks.
Alien Human Hybrid
August 16, 2010
Well said, Mark N. Moreover, if Isiah lands both Carmelo and Paul (or even if getting Carmelo leads to Paul), all will be forgiven as far as Knick fans are concerned.
Italian Stallion
August 18, 2010
It looks like the Melo to the Knicks talk is really heating up.
I’m starting to get worried because I love some of the young pieces the Knicks have right now. Chandler is expendable, but I’d hate to give up Gallo or Randolph just before they are about to start breaking out.
I can’t see Denver taking Curry. His expiring contract is an asset, but if the Nuggets want cap space they can just let Melo walk. The only way this happens is a 3 way deal where someone with a good player with a long contract wants cap space and takes Curry. Then the Nuggets take that player.
nerdnumbers
August 18, 2010
Italian,
Oh that just made my trade scenario even more exciting. Knicks trade Gallinari to Nuggets, Curry to Sixers. Sixers trade Iggy to Nuggets. Nuggets trade Melo to Knicks. Nuggets + Knicks throw as many picks + cash considerations at Sixers to make this happen. Everyone wins. . . except the Knicks and 76ers. . .