With a little less than 24 hours before Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets face off against the red-hot New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, the Melo trade rumors are heating up.

With the Knicks being his No. 1 choice of where Anthony wants to play, and what could be the most obvious sign is if he plays in Sunday’s game – especially after sitting out the previous two games. It also could be his ticket out of Denver.

Reports out of New York has the Knicks possibly moving Anthony Randolph to acquire a first round pick to attach in a trade with the Nuggets. One report says there is a good possibility they could get their own draft pick back from Houston (which was dealt in last season’s Tracy McGrady trade).

However, even then it is not likely that the Nuggets would be interested in a package surrounding Danilo Gallinari, Eddy Curry and a first round pick. So for any deal to be worked out with the Knicks a third team must be involved and that third team may in fact be the Memphis Grizzlies. With talented OJ Mayo and the giant Hasheem Thabeet struggling in Lionel Hollins system they each could be intriguing, young (and cheap) pieces for the Nuggets. Not to mention Zach Randolph’s expiring contract.

ESPN reported Saturday morning that Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Bobcats are interested in Carmelo Anthony, and it is likely the Bobcats would make a deal even if Anthony doesn’t sign an extension. The reasoning behind it is the Bobcats have one of the smallest fan bases in the NBA and one thing Melo brings (outside of scoring) is fans. Just ask the Nuggets. It could be a move that either makes or breaks the Bobcats franchise.

If a trade is going to be worked out the Bobcats would most likely have to give up All-Star forward Gerald Wallace and one of the younger pieces (Gerald Henderson or Tyrus Thomas). A trade of Wallace and Thomas for Anthony works on paper, but the Bobcats also lose some size in that deal as well.