Carmelo Anthony is a step closer to being traded as the New York Knicks make a significantly better offer to the Denver Nuggets

Looks like Melo may just get his wish, and Amare Stoudemire’s wish too…

With the Nets having yet to get Carmelo Anthony’s approval to complete a trade with the Nuggets, the Knicks jumped back in the hunt for Anthony yesterday with a strong counter-offer that would cost them three key players, according to multiple sources, while finally getting Denver’s full attention.

With the belief Anthony will approve a Nets’ deal as only a last resort, the Knicks and Nuggets engaged in extensive talks yesterday and have bridged a considerable gap, with Knicks owner James Dolan leading the push behind the scenes as the Hollywood suspense lingered into the night. The Nuggets could accept the package today or tomorrow, according to a Knicks official…

…”Jim Dolan definitely wants Carmelo Anthony in New York,” said Amar’e Stoudemire, who doubted Anthony wants to be a Net.

The Knicks have offered Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Eddy Curry’s expiring contract for Anthony, Chauncey Billups and possibly Anthony Carter. Yahoo! Sports first reported the deal’s main ingredients. It’s a proposal the Nuggets are seriously weighing, partly because of Anthony’s wariness on approving a Nets deal, a Knicks source said.

A Knicks source said there are “other elements involved” in why they made such a strong offer. It stems from the belief that if they nail Anthony now, point guard Chris Paul — who, like Anthony, is represented by CAA — will follow when he’s a 2012 free agent and Billups’ contract expires.

Stoudemire said he believes Anthony will turn down the Nets.

“I’d be very surprised,” Stoudemire said. “It’s hard for me to picture him in a Nets jersey. It’s a tough situation for him.”

“We played in New Jersey, it was like a home game for us, which was great. Most players would want to play with the Knicks before New Jersey.”

Anthony said he would like to meet with Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov in addition to Dolan, but that may not take place if Denver accepts the Knicks’ pitch. “I would love to sit down with Mr. Prokhorov, Mr. Dolan,” Anthony said. “I would love to sit down, look them in the eye and see what the future holds. I wan to see if Dolan is really interested in me coming to New York and see if Prokhorov is interested in me coming to Jersey.”

Stoudemire wants to see Anthony in a Knicks uniform.

Good luck Melo!

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