[Stardust]

The New York Knicks have reached out to Memphis about participating in a three-team deal that would send Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo to Denver and Carmelo Anthony to New York, according to league sources.

Talks are in the infant stages and nothing is imminent, but the discussions are a sign of the Knicks' increased aggressiveness in trying to trade for Anthony.


Anthony

Mayo
Emboldened by their belief that Anthony will refuse to sign a three-year, $65 million contract extension with the New Jersey Nets, the Knicks have stepped up their efforts to bring the Nuggets' star to New York.

The Nets, Nuggets and Pistons still are in discussions on a trade that may involve more than 13 players and hope to have it wrapped up by next week, the Bergan (N.J.) Record reported.

The Knicks have tried to engage Denver in trade talks all season, but the Nuggets, unmoved by the players New York has to offer, have been unwilling to partake in significant discussions. Sources, however, say that is changing as the Nuggets themselves wonder whether Anthony is willing to go to New Jersey.

The Knicks understand they need to recruit another trade partner or two in order to put together a package Denver would be interested in, and that's their motivation for inquiring about Mayo. It is not clear at this point whether Denver is actively involved in the talks with Memphis.

Knicks president Donnie Walsh denied to the New York Daily News Thursday night that the team was in talks with the Nuggets or the Grizzlies.

Mayo, who has had a disappointing and controversial season in Memphis, is on the trading block, and the Knicks' hope is that he would satisfy Denver's desire for a promising young prospect. Though the third-year guard is coming off the bench and scoring fewer than 13 points a game this season, Mayo averaged 18 points in his first two years.
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/n...id=6019859
Although Mayo, who has one year, $5.6 million remaining on his contract after this season, does not have the leverage to stop a possible deal, sources say he would not be happy with a trade to Denver.

After nearly three years of rebuilding in Memphis, Mayo is looking to go to a winning situation, according to the sources. He understands that without Anthony, Denver would be starting over.

Mayo, however, would like to go to the Knicks.

The Knicks' only interest in Mayo is to aid them in acquiring Anthony.

The Knicks also will need at least one first-round draft pick to grab Denv