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Speaking of the Knicks, Berger investigates why the team hired a former NBA GM with ties to Anthony as a consultant. "What exactly is the Knicks' motivation for hiring former Nuggets GM Mark Warkentien as a consultant? Sources that have known Warkentien and Knicks President Donnie Walsh for years say this is a Walsh-driven move and bodes well for his future with the organization. Walsh has a contract extension that he's discussing and an option that has to be picked up by April. Several rival executives, however, are telling me this looks more like an effort on the part of ownership to appease CAA, who represents both warkentien and, guess who, Carmelo Anthony." CBSSports.com

Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Free Agency, Trade, Mark Warkentien, Carmelo Anthony, Donnie Walsh 

Several executives and agents believe the Knicks’ hiring of former Denver Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien as a top consultant was made at a level above Walsh. Walsh likes Warkentien, respects his acumen, his talent, but he’s had chances to hire Warkentien in the past and never did. Why now? Well, Warkentien changed representation to CAA – home of dealmaker William Wesley, the famous Worldwide Wes – and clearly Knicks ownership wants to do business with Wes. Yahoo! Sports

New York Knicks, Mark Warkentien, Donnie Walsh 

Howard Beck: Also from today's story: Warkentien's title will be "asst to the president" -- same as Allan Houston before he was promoted to asst GM Twitter

New York Knicks, Mark Warkentien 

So while the addition of Warkentien, a shrewd negotiator with a reputation as a relentless scout, bodes well for a Walsh-driven front-office structure going forward, the natural question is as follows: What does this mean for the Knicks' pursuit of Anthony? On one hand, teaming Warkentien with Walsh on the Denver trade negotiations would make it a decidedly unfair fight -- combining Walsh's experience with Warkentien's direct knowledge of the Denver power structure and Stan Kroenke's tendencies and psychology when it comes to deal-making. Sources say that Warkentien long ago zeroed in on Kroenke's negotiating weakness in any Anthony trade: his obsessive pursuit of cost- cutting. As Warkentien learned in a negotiating class he recently took at Harvard, the best way to win a negotiation is to know what the opponent wants and where his weaknesses are. CBSSports.com

Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Trade, Mark Warkentien, Carmelo Anthony, Donnie Walsh, Stan Kroenke 

But it is difficult to predict how Kroenke, who is still ultimately calling the shots behind the curtain while his son and Ujiri handle the day-to-day business, will respond to the Knicks' hiring of Warkentien. It is possible, according to one source who understands Denver's still complicated organization dynamics, that Kroenke would stubbornly recoil from any talks with the Knicks and refuse to give Anthony his wish -- or give Warkentien the satisfaction. CBSSports.com

Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Trade, Mark Warkentien, Carmelo Anthony, Donnie Walsh, Stan Kroenke 

Also possible, the source noted, is that Kroenke would redouble efforts to once again engage the Nets in trade talks as a far more palatable option than dealing with Warkentien. Another person with direct knowledge of the Nuggets' trade discussions has told CBSSports.com on multiple occasions recently that the Anthony talks have not evolved since the Nets dropped out last week. One reason may have been the Knicks' impending hiring of Warkentien, which sources say leaked to some members of Denver's basketball operations. CBSSports.com

Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Trade, Mark Warkentien, Carmelo Anthony, Donnie Walsh, Stan Kroenke 

So we now segue to the inevitable question of whether Mozgov was being showcased for inclusion in a possible trade for Anthony, a route the Knicks have been trying to maneuver down for the past several weeks by picking the brain of former Nuggets general manager Mark Warkentien about the best way to proceed forward. ESPN.com

Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Trade, Mark Warkentien, Carmelo Anthony, Donnie Walsh, Timofey Mozgov, Stan Kroenke 

Warkentien's name has surfaced with Anthony in Newark tonight is interesting. Warkentien recently left his agent, Steve Kaufmann, to join William Wesley and the ever-powerful CAA. Wesley is the longtime associate of Leon Rose, Anthony's agent. Wesley has emerged as a key player in Anthony's future destination. New York Post

Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Trade, Mark Warkentien, Carmelo Anthony, Donnie Walsh, Stan Kroenke 

Frank Isola: Melo on Knicks hiring former Den GM Mark Warkentien as consultant:"As far as I'm concerned that's a great addition to their organization." Twitter

Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Trade, Mark Warkentien, Carmelo Anthony, Donnie Walsh, Stan Kroenke 

"I don't know who put that deal out there. I'm pretty sure that could've been something to look forward to in New Jersey," Anthony said, but admitting with a chuckle he doesn't expect the Nets to call back. "I don't think the Nets will be calling. Nobody's going to come out publicly and do a press conference like that and then go back on their word -- especially a man like that," the superstar forward added. "He's a businessman. He doesn't conduct business like that. I take my hat off to him." New York Post

Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Trade, Mark Warkentien, Carmelo Anthony, Donnie Walsh, Stan Kroenke 

Walsh had difficulty selling Garden ownership on hiring a full-fledged deputy in recent years – he’s considered candidates such as Warkentien and Chris Mullin – but finally cleared the way to get Warkentien hired in the consultant’s role. A contract has been drawn, but is still awaiting signatures, sources said. Yahoo! Sports

New York Knicks, Mark Warkentien, Donnie Walsh, Chris Mullin 

A person close to Warkentien confirmed a report Sunday night by Yahoo! Sports that the Knicks intend to hire Warkentien as a high-level consultant. The move, which has yet to be finalized, represents the first step in Knicks president Donnie Walsh's long-time efforts to hire a right-hand man. In the past, he had considered Warkentien, former Warriors executive Chris Mullin, and former Trail Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard, while coach Mike D'Antoni had some other candidates in mind. CBSSports.com

New York Knicks, Mark Warkentien, Donnie Walsh, Chris Mullin 

League sources said that upon hearing of Warkentien’s impending hire in New York, Ujiri told members of his Denver front-office and scouting staffs – apparently in a half-joking manner – that they won’t be allowed to join Warkentien in New York. Yahoo! Sports

Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Mark Warkentien, Donnie Walsh, Masai Ujiri 

Warkentien told confidants two years ago one of his dreams was to work for Walsh and considered him a mentor. Supporters of a Warkentien hire thought it would be a good fit because of his reputation as pounding the pavement as far as scouting. Walsh has not traveled this season because he is rehabbing from hip-replacement surgery. New York Post

New York Knicks, Mark Warkentien, Donnie Walsh 

Walsh's contract has a team option that must be picked up by April 1. While the addition of Warkentien as a consultant is viewed by those close to the situation as a prelude to an expanded and more permanent role, sources also say that not only is Walsh's option expected to be picked up, but his contract may be extended as well. Though Walsh has made no noise about wanting the extension, he has expressed to confidants a strong desire to see the Knicks' rebuilding through after overcoming a series of health issues in recent months. After returning to Madison Square Garden recently after undergoing hip replacement surgery, Walsh has been described by friends as especially enthusiastic and strong-willed about completing the massive restoration project. CBSSports.com

New York Knicks, Mark Warkentien, Donnie Walsh 

Another factor for Walsh is the ongoing NBA investigation into a Yahoo! Sports report of illegal predraft workouts and contact with college underclassmen by East Coast scouting director Rodney Heard. The NBA has hired a law firm to investigate the charges, which included several players and witnesses detailing serious rules violations. Pending the results of the investigation, the Knicks could face substantial fines and the possible loss of future draft picks. If Heard loses his job with the Knicks, West Coast scout Mark Hughes, who was largely responsible for the drafting of second-round gem Landry Fields, is expected to move into a more prominent role in the Knicks’ front office. The ability to find talent outside the draft – such as Europe, the Development League and undrafted college players – has been a strength of Warkentien over his two decades in NBA front offices. Yahoo! Sports

New York Knicks, Mark Warkentien, Donnie Walsh 

Before we go, I have to point out that the Nuggets are 7-0 when J.R. Smith plays more than 24 minutes. Would you like to comment on that? George Karl: That sounds like a Mark Warkentien stat! I didn’t know that, but J.R. has been going great. Last night [against the Grizzlies] was a bit of a step backward, but his commitment and professionalism in practice and in games is the best its ever been since I’ve coached him. denverstiffs.com

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Mark Warkentien, JR Smith 

This e-mail was sent out last night by Mark Warkentien to several members of the media who cover the Trail Blazers: This was forwarded to me earlier tonight from a radio interview that Steve Patterson recently did. …Steve spoke well of Dr. Roberts and the Blazer trainers during the interview. He said that any criticism that they have received re: so many Portland players being injured is unfounded, the staff is one of the best in the NBA, etc… Let me reinforce and strongly support what Steve Patterson reportedly had to say. Don Roberts & Tom Reis are great – not good – docs. One of the primary reasons my family has stayed in Lake Oswego is because of Don Roberts & Tom Reis; I have trusted my health and that of my family to these gentlemen; the highest compliment one can offer. During the past 19-years I have worked for the Seattle Sonics, Blazers, Cavaliers and Nuggets; Don Roberts and Tom Reis are top shelf in the NBA. Both are terrific doctors and even better people. Dwight Jaynes

Portland Trail Blazers, Mark Warkentien 

Anthony has refused to sign a three-year, $65 million extension with the Nuggets and has made it clear to team officials he’s not comfortable with the franchise’s stability. There’s unrest within the organization, where George Karl’s top assistant, Tim Grgurich, has left, league sources said. Grgurich has told friends he’s angry about the franchise’s refusal to retain former GM Mark Warkentien. Karl is now without his two most trusted confidants in the organization, Warkentien and Grgurich. Yahoo! Sports

Denver Nuggets, Mark Warkentien, Coaching, Tim Grgurich 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Tim Grgurich is telling friends the ouster of longtime pal and ex-GM Mark Warkentien a major reason why he's leaving Denver coaching staff. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Mark Warkentien, Tim Grgurich