A source with knowledge of the Knicks' strategy told Alan Hahn that the team is confident it can obtain a first-round pick to package to Denver in a deal to land Carmelo Anthony.

"That will not be a stumbling block," the source said.

On Thursday, Chris Sheridan first broke the news for ESPN that the Knicks had lined up a trade to acquire a first-round pick in the 2011 draft.

"There remains strong mutual interest between Anthony and the Knicks, according to sources close to both," writes Hahn. "The only real stumbling block is the reluctance of the Nuggets, who are well aware of Anthony's desire to join the Knicks, to work with them on a trade."