THAT Knicks-Nuggets trade....WTF?!

Quick NBA post because a major bombshell got dropped as the trade deadline approached. Something that could really shake things up.

In a nutshell, after speculation all season long that All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony was looking to get out of Denver - probably to New York, which had grown thin on frustrated Denver fans, it finally happened.

But I don't think anyone expected the magnitude of everything that came with it...Tying an NBA record for most players involved in a multi-team trade - THIRTEEN - Denver and New York literally traded half their rosters to each other while Minnesota picked up a few scraps to help seal the deal. Anthony became a Knicks player along with point guard Chauncey Billups and a few others, while Denver picked up a reasonable swag of young talent, including Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton. Both teams got what they wanted. New York wanted more All-Stars/seasoned pros to go with them picking up another All-Star in A'mare Stoudemire from Phoenix during the pre-season. Denver had grown weary of being focused around Anthony and playing slower paced basketball. They wanted team oriented, defense focused, fast-paced offense play to last for a good deal of time rather than settle with their current lineup being second round playoffs perennials.

Both teams are taking big gambles, but you'd think both teams are happy with what they got. New York now has three starting positions loaded with talent. They have the scoring flare and the finesse to become a serious threat. However, they traded away a lot of tall players - plus Stoudemire and Anthony have been criticised regularly for being unable to play defense. Denver has a lot of young, raw talent to go around players like Nene. But that's counting on those players developing into the guns you hope they become. It may not happen. But if it does, there will be plenty to like. for Denver fans while New York will have fan-pulling power with three big names in the starting lineup.

But such drastic changes to a lineup midway through a season - there will be issues with adjusting to the new players and how they work with each other. Miami is still a work in progress - James and Bosh coming to join Wade has been good overall but they have failed to beat the top teams thus far. Not even All-Star talent gels overnight - it takes time. Don't expect Denver or New York to set the stadium alight with their prowess just yet. However, the short-term future does look better for New York. With Orlando sliding, Boston potentially trading away too many tall players, Miami still ironing out the creases - they can be a threat in the East that needs to be acknowledged. Playoffs look a good chance for them, perhaps even Denver, looking at their impressive win over Boston yesterday. But thus far, you'd still be thinking Boston, Chicago and Miami are the real threats in the East, while Denver will hope for the cream to rise to the top a few years from now to challenge in the West.

All in all, exciting times await in the playoffs. Expect to see Deron Williams and Dwight Howard being sought after at all costs come post-season for more fireworks in the trade circles.