While everyone is speculating where Carmelo Anthony will go, no one ever thought about who would join Melo in New York. Is the allure of the Big Apple really that strong?

The concept is not entirely new. LeBron James was already a target of the New York Knicks in 2010. However, the Knicks failed to land LeBron and they got Carmelo Anthony via trade the following year.

James and Anthony have been competitors and friends since high school. It would not be farfetched to think that they would want to play with each other.

According to Selou Smith of Bulls blog, that is exactly the plan:

"Carmelo Anthony is not going anywhere as a free agent this summer. That's because next summer LeBron James is going to join him in New York. It actually could well be a heck of a play by both Anthony and James following one more season. After all, the Heat waited out two seasons and stepped back from a title team for a chance to acquire James. And what better place for James to enhance his image, if that is even possible, by winning in New York, not only perhaps the world's biggest media market, but where no one else-and not even Pat Riley-has been able to."

Before you dismiss the idea, Smith cites some facts: "You win in New York and your reputation and legacy is enhanced like it can be nowhere else. After all, the Knicks won two titles more than 40 years ago and just about every starter got into the Hall of Fame. It's not like they all deserved to."

In all things including basketball, everything seems more overblown in New York. One case in point-Forbes.com places a monetary value on every franchise in the NBA, and for the New York Knicks, awful as they are this year, is still Number one. The Miami Heat, just at 6^th place.

If LeBron were to join New York, Madison Square Garden would go bananas. However, the plan will take place in 2015, not 2014. James would not opt out this year and stay in Miami until the end of the 2014-15 season.

"Say Anthony signs his long term extension with the Knicks this summer, which many believe will occur. After next summer, the contracts of Amar'e Stoudemire, Andre Bargnani and Tyson Chandler will expire. That would give the Knicks salary cap space for a maximum deal for someone like James and enough money for another free agent with further additions like, finally, a draft pick and another exception. Given that money and luxury tax seems to remain of little concern in New York, the Knicks could begin to load up around LeBron and Anthony. Who really would have a better pair?"

There is also Lebron's concern with losing his deteriorating partner (Dwyane Wade):

"The question for James is where he can go to play with another star given Wade's decline.

It's not likely to be Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles given Bryant's age and health. There's been rumors if the Clippers don't win a title this season or make the Finals they'd trade Blake Griffin for James. The theory goes Miami at least gets a young star to build with rather than risk losing James. The Clippers have dismisses moving Griffin, now even in MVP conversation. But more than that, who would trade LeBron James with a chance to still win a title? That would be a tough move for Miami to make. Would they react rather than risk losing him? That sort of fear doesn't sound like Pat Riley.

Obviously, James isn't going to Minnesota to join Kevin Love or Boston to join Rajon Rondo. Dallas with Dirk? Don't think so.

Kevin Durant is the big name, but he isn't a free agent until 2016. LaMarcus Aldridge? San Antonio? Doesn't sound like a LeBron kind of town.

Anthony is as good as any, an elite scorer to match Durant, and especially as a second option guy."

Will it happen? Smith has a disclaimer that he is predicting it this early, so if turns out wrong, we would forget.

But the internet won't.