While the New York Knicks remain confident in their chances of acquiring Carmelo Anthony this season, they are preparing backup plans in case he winds up in New Jersey or elsewhere.

After Anthony declared how important signing the three-year, $64.47 million contract extension is to him during last week's visit to Madison Square Garden, the Knicks realized they may have trouble signing him as a free agent next summer.

More and more, the thinking at Knicks headquarters is that Anthony will sign the extension with some club -- be it New York, New Jersey or whomever -- rather than become a free agent with a lockout looming.

So if the Knicks can't trade for Anthony by the Feb. 24 trade deadline, they've got two other potential Plan Bs in mind.

In one, they may go after Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala, who would seem to fit nicely in Mike D'Antoni's system. Eddy Curry's expiring contract and one other player might be enough to pry Iguodala away from the Sixers, though Philadelphia doesn't want to give away its top player in a mere salary dump.

The Knicks' other scenario would potentially bring Cleveland's proven role players Anderson Varejao and Daniel "Boobie" Gibson to Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are aware of their need for more toughness inside and Varejao would provide that. And Gibson could fill the backup point guard spot the Knicks have been looking to upgrade.

The Knicks are weighing whether those two options are better than what they could get on next summer's free agent market.

Of course, Anthony remains the most coveted prize, and the Knicks still believe they can get him. Denver would rather deal with New Jersey, though, since the Nets have more to offer.

The Nets have several potential trades for Anthony on the table and are merely waiting for Denver to choose one, according to sources. That doesn't mean a deal could be completed immediately; just that the Nets would then begin getting agreements from the various parties involved.

The Nets have trade scenarios based on two-team deals between them and the Nuggets, as well as three- and four-team deals on the table.

The two clubs have stayed in periodic contact over the past few months, but haven't spoken since Saturday, according to one source.

Igodoula aint a bad consolation prize. If we lose the Melo sweepstakes, I'm not mad at AI2.

Before david lee got traded, I can't recall anybody proposing such a trade, every trade donnie has done, has caught all of us off guard, and with that being said, I think the trade that happens is the one no one mention.

Nalod wrote:Varejao is like their best player and fan favorite.

Iggy is Dump for sixers. They will try otherwise and they should.

Curry and Wilson and a habitual 2nd round pick.

Not good enough, fine. Let them pay and keep sucking.

When we are done we will be the "anti Starphuck!" Patience will rule!

cavs may likely use varejao to move a bad contract, moving in the direction of building a new cavs team.

iggy is a salary dump for sixers no way ny takes that contract without sixers sweetening the deal, big time.

BigDaddyG wrote:Bucher said in his chat last week that Portland offered Batum and Pryz for Iggy and the 76ers didn't take it. If Philly turned that down, I'm not sure that Curry's expiring and TD, or whatever, is enough to get a deal done. I wouldn't mind Gibson and Varejo. Substitute Ramon Sessions for Gibson and I'd have even fewer complaints.

seriously? gibson shoots 42% from downtown and has been one of the most efficient 3 point shooters in the league.

sessions is 0 for 1 on 3s this year. there's absolutely 0 chance walsh would take sessions over gibson. d'antoni wouldn't play him! MDA wants shooters!

loweyecue wrote:Yeah they just noted the other day that Boobie is sixth all time on the NBA 3 pts made list, ahead of Glen Rice!

i like boobies as much as the next guy, but we need a backup PG, not another shooter... Sessions is the guy i'd target over Boobie.

BigSm00th wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:Bucher said in his chat last week that Portland offered Batum and Pryz for Iggy and the 76ers didn't take it. If Philly turned that down, I'm not sure that Curry's expiring and TD, or whatever, is enough to get a deal done. I wouldn't mind Gibson and Varejo. Substitute Ramon Sessions for Gibson and I'd have even fewer complaints.

seriously? gibson shoots 42% from downtown and has been one of the most efficient 3 point shooters in the league.

sessions is 0 for 1 on 3s this year. there's absolutely 0 chance walsh would take sessions over gibson. d'antoni wouldn't play him! MDA wants shooters!

Wouldn't mind either one, I just like Session because he's a legitimate point guard and Gibson is more of a combo guard.

BigDaddyG wrote:

BigSm00th wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:Bucher said in his chat last week that Portland offered Batum and Pryz for Iggy and the 76ers didn't take it. If Philly turned that down, I'm not sure that Curry's expiring and TD, or whatever, is enough to get a deal done. I wouldn't mind Gibson and Varejo. Substitute Ramon Sessions for Gibson and I'd have even fewer complaints.

seriously? gibson shoots 42% from downtown and has been one of the most efficient 3 point shooters in the league.

sessions is 0 for 1 on 3s this year. there's absolutely 0 chance walsh would take sessions over gibson. d'antoni wouldn't play him! MDA wants shooters!

Wouldn't mind either on, I just like Session because he's a legitimate point guard and Gibson is more of a combo guard.

MDA is not going to want no pg or SG that can't shoot 3's

TMS wrote:

loweyecue wrote:Yeah they just noted the other day that Boobie is sixth all time on the NBA 3 pts made list, ahead of Glen Rice!

i like boobies as much as the next guy, but we need a backup PG, not another shooter... Sessions is the guy i'd target over Boobie.

Then this should transport you to Heaven. http://photography-posters-uk.blogspot.com/2009/11/blue-footed-boobies-ecuador.html