Nuggets trade ’Melo to N.Y.

Associated Press

NEW YORK

The Knicks have agreed to a trade with the Denver Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony.

The deal that would end the season-long trade saga involving Denver’s All-Star forward can’t be finalized until today during a conference call with the NBA office. Assuming it goes through, it puts Anthony alongside Amare Stoudemire in a potential explosive frontcourt — at a heavy cost for the Knicks.

The Post, citing a league source, said the Knicks would send Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov and a 2014 first-round draft pick to the Nuggets, who would get additional picks and cash.

Along with Anthony, New York would acquire Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman, according to the Post.

The Nuggets have explored an Anthony trade since he refused to sign the three-year contract extension worth nearly $65 million they offered him last summer.

They appeared on the verge of sending him to the New Jersey Nets on multiple occasions, but the Knicks increased their offer enough to land Anthony, who was believed to prefer New York all along. The Knicks would hope he could be in uniform Wednesday when they host the Milwaukee Bucks.

Lakers regroup

Matt Barnes returned to practice with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, shooting free throws and doing non-contact drills just six weeks after tearing cartilage in his right knee.

Kobe Bryant realizes the veteran swingman is probably the only reinforcement he’ll get for the Lakers’ run at a third straight title.

Just like everything else that happens to the Lakers these days, that prospect doesn’t seem to bother the two-time champions.

“It’s a marathon, but you see the finish line,” Bryant said while going back to work at the Lakers’ training complex after winning his record-tying fourth All-Star game MVP award.

“I’m concerned, [but] it’s no different than last season,” Bryant added. “There’s always a level of concern. Every team is concerned at this point.”

General manager Mitch Kupchak said last week he thinks a trade is unlikely before Thursday’s deadline, and coach Phil Jackson has said the Lakers have the ingredients to win another title.

With 25 games to go, the Lakers (38-19) would seem to have plenty of reason to be concerned about whether they can compete with the NBA’s elite — but after reaching three straight NBA finals and winning two titles, there’s apparently little doubt in their collective minds.

“We know what we have left to do in the regular season,” said Lamar Odomj “It’s a test we need, and a test we’re looking forward to.”