Another star gets his way

Carmelo Anthony finally got his wish and was traded to the New York Knicks. Excuse me if I find it hard to get excited about another star orchestrating his way out of town and to his chosen city. His only chosen city.

At least the former Denver Nugget didn't announce the news on a television special.

The Knicks are looking like the team that was fleeced in the deal, giving up several players on the rise. They find themselves left with Anthony and Amare' Stoudamire and little else. Perhaps that will sell tickets for a while, but it won't win games. Now if Chris Paul lives up to the toast he made at Anthony's wedding and joins them, that will be another story.

** Rumors are flying about a possible Cavs trade and Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com said it was not a slam dunk for Dan Gilbert's team. Which I take to mean it is not without some risk. I hope the Cavs aren't risking their valuable trade exception on a player with an injury history (as much as I love Greg Oden). That is, unless they feel that exception might go to waste given the uncertainty of the labor future and a possible lockout.

** According to Adam Caplan of FOXsports.com, the Raiders are exercising a $3.5 million buyback option in Kamerion Wimbley's contract to keep the former first-round draft pick of the Browns in 2011. Linebacker Wimbley led the Raiders in sacks last season.

That looks like a deal that could not have worked out better for both teams. The Raiders got a pass-rusher they hope to keep for the long-term and the Browns received a third-round draft pick they used on quarterback Colt McCoy.