What it means: Breaking down the 'Melo trade to New York

The three-team trade between the Nuggets, Knicks and Timberwolves has instantly re-made at least two of the teams. Here's a look at the three teams, past and present:

What They Got: F Carmelo Anthony, G Chauncey Billups, C Shelden Williams, F Renaldo Balkman, F Corey Brewer, G Anthony Carter.

What They Lost: G Raymond Felton, F Danilo Gallinari, F Wilson Chandler, G Timofey Mozgov, first-round pick in 2014, second-round picks in 2012 and 2013, $3 million each to Nuggets and Timberwolves.

What They Have Now: An explosive superstar duo of Amar'e Stoudemire and 'Melo to build around for years to come. Those two immediately become the league's second-highest scoring tandem (51.3 ppg) behind LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. The rest gets filled in around Broadway's two All-Stars.

Mike D'Antoni loses four members of his rotation, including three starters. 'Melo and big-shot-making Billups are immediate upgrades at small forward and point guard, respectively. Landry Fields will start with Billups in the backcourt. Brewer isn't much of a shooter, but could thrive in New York's up-tempo system, and provide depth behind Fields and Anthony. Toney Douglas backs up Billups.

The center spot will likely either be current Knick Ronny Turiaf or newcomer Williams, though expect D'Antoni to slide Amar'e there and have Anthony at power forward for key stretches. Early guess on finishing lineup: Stoudemire, 'Melo, Billups, Fields and Brewer. These guys are going to light up the scoreboard. Defense will be an issue, but the Knicks will be fun to watch.

What They Got: G Raymond Felton, F Danilo Gallinari, F Wilson Chandler, C Timofey Mozgov, first-round pick in 2014, second-round picks in 2012 and 2013, $3 million.

What They Lost: F Carmelo Anthony, G Chauncey Billups, C Shelden Williams, F Renaldo Balkman, G Anthony Carter.

What They Have Now: Full-on rebuilding mode. Kenyon Martin and J.R. Smith aren't long for the Mile High City and should see their roles diminish if any of them make it past Thursday's trade deadline. Nene is the wildcard. He's got an opt-out after this season, but the Nuggets are pushing for an extension. Sound familiar?

As for the new haul, the productive pair of Gallinari and Chandler should immediately join Nene in the starting frontcourt. Gallinari, 22, is a 6-foot-10 non-rebounding power forward with 3-point range who averages nearly 16 points per game. Chandler, 23, is averaging 16.4 points and is also a solid shooter and a decent rebounder. Mozgov, 24, is a hard-working big man best known for being dunked on earlier this season by Blake Griffin.

Felton, 26, was having a career year (17.1 points and 9.0 assists) in his first year in New York. The Nuggets are high on Ty Lawson, who backed up Billups at point guard. Lawson, because he knows George Karl's system, will start, but Felton will play. Starting shooting guard Aaron Afflalo is safe, but Denver's playoff prospects in the competitive West are iffy.

What They Got: C Eddy Curry, F Anthony Randolph, $3 million

What They Lost: F Corey Brewer

What They Have Now: Not much different than before. Curry is nothing but an expiring contract, so getting his $11.3 million off the books will help. Randolph is a 6-foot-11 gazelle who's already tantalized two franchises -- Golden State and New York -- with his potential only to ultimately disappoint.

The former lottery pick is only 21, so there's still time. Randolph is also playing behind All-Star rebounding machine Kevin Love. Good luck with that. Brewer worked hard a couple of years ago to come back from a devastating knee injury, but with Minnesota's surplus of wing players and his expiring contract, the Florida-ex wasn't in the team's long-term plans.

Art Garcia has covered the NBA since 1999. You can e-mail him here and follow him on twitter.

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