The Dallas Mavericks reportedly are close to trading guard Jose Calderon to the New York Knicks for center Tyson Chandler and guard Raymond Felton. Dallas appears to be lining up their cards to make a run at soon-to-be free agent Carmelo Anthony.
ESPN reports Dallas and New York are close to completing a five-player trade. The deal would include Chandler and Felton for Calderon, Samuel Dalembert and Shane Larkin.
UPDATE (5:00 p.m.): Initial reports included Wayne Ellington in the trade.
Chandler never appeared onboard to be part of a rebuild in New York. While New York loses a former defensive player of the year, they do receive a much-needed upgrade at point guard with Calderon.
Although Dallas is forced to eat the contract of Felton, they get Chandler, their former defensive anchor, back in the paint to play beside star Dirk Nowitzki.
Multiple news outlets, including ESPN, have reported Dallas as interested in acquiring Anthony. The move appears to be the Mavericks preparing to make a run at the All-Star -- and/or possibly soon-to-be free agent LeBron James -- in free agency by improving their roster and making it more appealing for a superstar wanting to make a title run.
Assuming the trade happens, Dallas would then have a trio of Nowitzki, guard Monta Ellis and Chandler in place, along with a proven coach in Rick Carlisle.
