NEW YORK — As new reports came out Wednesday that the Denver Nuggets have re-engaged the Nets in trade talks for Carmelo Anthony, Knicks president Donnie Walsh said he’s still actively seeking to improve his team as the Feb. 24 trade deadline approaches.
“I like the team that we have right now, I like the position we’re in as far as our cap, but I do think there are some things that we could use on this team that would help us,” Walsh said Wednesday before the Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks, 102-90, at MSG.
“So that’s why I’m out there. Otherwise, I’d be saying, ‘We’re OK.’ And I haven’t said that, that we can’t get better, because we can.”
Asked if he had any active proposals on the table right now, Walsh said, “None of your business.”
The Bergen Record and Yahoo! Sports both reported Wednesday that the Nuggets had re-engaged the Nets in talks for Anthony. Yahoo reported that the scaled-down deal centers on rookie forward Derrick Favors and draft picks.
It remains unclear if Anthony will sign a three-year, $65 million extension to play in New Jersey/Brooklyn.
The Nuggets reportedly want as many as five key Knicks, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Landry Fields and Timofey Mozgov, plus Eddy Curry’s expiring contract and a first-round pick.
Such a demanding price makes it easy for Walsh to say no.
“If it’s a good trade, I would do it,’ he said. “But I have to look at the end of the trade and say, ‘We’re a good basketball team. We didn’t just make a good trade. We have a good basketball team.’ So that’s the object of any trade.”
Walsh said he didn’t think his “mindset’ would change as the deadline approaches, meaning he won’t become more likely to deal for Anthony as Feb. 24 draws nearer.
Walsh continues to insist that he is focused on 2012 in addition to 2011. That’s when Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Deron Williams become free agents.
“There are big names in the trading thing now and there will be down the road,” Walsh said. “You’ll be here with someone else next year
“It’s a matter of trying to put yourself in the right position.”
It is expected that the Knicks will cut ties with Curry at the deadline if he isn’t dealt in order to open a roster spot for someone like Earl Barron, but Walsh continues to support Curry publicly.
“He’s here and it’s a matter of if he can fit in with what Mike [D’Antoni’s] doing and all that and I leave that to Mike,” Walsh said. “But I think he’s doing well now. I do.”
**Read the NBA.com game notebook with notes and quotes here.
And like ZAGS on Facebook.
