But there's more. Anthony has poured so much time and energy into making himself available to the Knicks, his chosen destination, that one source close to the talks believes Anthony will refuse to accept a summertime discount to play in Madison Square Garden in the event Donnie Walsh fails to deal before next Thursday's deadline.
"Melo has been the driving force behind this thing all along," the source said, "and you've got to give the kid credit. He's put himself way out there, and Denver finally engaged the Knicks and is willing to do a deal, a huge step forward.
"Melo wants to be a Knick, he's let everyone know that, and now the Knicks have to do their part. I still think it's 80-20 that he ends up in New York in a trade. But if Melo doesn't get traded, he's going to be very upset and I don't think he ever plays for the Knicks."
Walsh cannot let this moment and opportunity pass. If the Knicks don't land Anthony, they'll never land Chris Paul or Deron Williams in the summer of 2012.
From Ian O'Connor at ESPN..