MSG Ticket Prices Take Off After Knicks Land Carmelo
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Was the Knicks' blockbuster trade for Carmelo Anthony too costly? That's the subject of intense deliberation.
What's not under debate is the rising cost for Knicks fans hoping to catch Carmelo's debut at the Garden.
Since New York landed Anthony, ticket prices for Wednesday night's contest against the Milwaukee Bucks at MSG have risen considerably.
Tickets that were going for $60 and below just yesterday on StubHub.com are nowhere to be seen. To see Carmelo's probable first game, you'll have to shell out at least $140 per ticket.
One intrepid seller is even trying to hawk four seats in Section 144 for $6,500 -- each!
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While Anthony is expected to make his Knicks debut Wednesday, there has been no official word from the team.
There's also the question over which number Carmelo will wear. His customary No. 15 has been retired by the Knicks -- twice -- and his backup No. 22 is also off limits.
Along with Anthony, New York would also acquire Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman.
The Knicks are set to 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.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are also involved in the three-way deal, getting Eddy Curry and Anthony Randolph from the Knicks for swingman Corey Brewer, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to the AP. The Wolves will also get about $3 million in the deal to buy out Curry's contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade has yet to be made official by the NBA.
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 Nets on multiple occasions, but the Knicks increased their offer enough to land Anthony, who was believed to prefer New York all along.
But they'll make their postseason run without the core of the team. Felton, Gallinari, Mozgov and Chandler were four of New York's top six players, and there is some thought the Knicks gave up too much to get Anthony, a sensational scorer headed to a team that doesn't necessarily need more scoring.
However, the Knicks felt they couldn't pass on the opportunity to land a 26-year-old superstar once he became available. Assuming he extends with the Knicks, Anthony and Stoudemire would be under contract for four more seasons, though the uncertain salary cap situation could wreck New York's plans to be spenders over the next two summers.
How much would you shell out for Carmelo's debut? Let us know in the comments below!
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