05:41 PM ET  02.23 | Much debate has ensued since Carmelo was traded to the Knicks for essentially their entire starting lineup. I'm going to try and pick the winners and losers of the deal. WINNERS 1. Carmelo Anthony Carmelo Anthony hit the jackpot. He signed a huge extension with his dream team a year before the new CBA, which likely would have limited the max contract to below Anthony's 3-year, $65 million deal. Anthony joins a contender and is finally paired with the superstar he has been waiting for his entire career. He will be extremely popular among New York fans, as he is an even more explosive player than the current King of New York, Amar'e Stoudemire. As an added bonus, he stays with his point guard, Chauncey Billups. Anthony clearly got the best out of this situation. 2. Denver Nuggets The Nuggets can finally put this ordeal behind them. Many players admitted to being distracted by the media circus surrounding the trade speculation, and they are surely relieved to be over with the whole thing. Obviously one game isn't a tell-all, but the fact that they came out and won their first game (shorthanded albeit) since the trade shows just how heavy the burden was that is now lifted off of their shoulders. In addition, the Nuggets get exciting young talent in Gallinari and Chandler, an above-average point guard in Felton, a potential star in Mozgov, and high picks. Clearly none of these players will replace the production that Carmelo brought with him to New York, but in terms of "starting anew", the Nuggets now have several key pieces in place to start rebuilding. 3. New York Knicks I know I'll get some flak for this, but I think the Knicks are better off after the deal. Critics of the trade argue that the Knicks gave up too much talent for one superstar and a supporting cast, but if the Knicks had such a good team in place, why were they only two games over .500 at the break? I know that is a huge improvement over recent teams, but in all honestly the reason they have improved so much is Stoudemire. They had Gallinari and Chandler last year and were still a below-average team in a weak division. Granted, the loss of Felton challenges D'Antoni to tweak his go-go offensive style for the slower, more deliberate Billups, but overall the Knicks are better off. People argued that the Heat would struggle with three players all used to being the top dog. Granted, the Heat's early struggles led many to call the Heat a huge bust. But, given time to figure out how to work together, the Heat are now the top team in the NBA. The Knicks may need some time too to learn to play together, but the fact is the Eastern Conference is soft enough outside the top 6 that they can slip a little at first and still be in position to make the playoffs comfortably. LOSERS 1. New Jersey Nets The Nets wanted Carmelo so badly that they offered their entire future for him. However, Carmelo simply didn't want to play for them. Being spurned by Carmelo led the Nets to turn around and deal for the Jazz's Deron Williams, sending a similar package (with less draft picks). The Nets lose Devin Harris, Derrick Favors (the No. 3 overall pick in the most recent draft), and two picks plus some cash. In return, they get a permier point guard. My question is, why did they need to spend so much for such a minor upgrade? Clearly Williams is a better player than Harris, but not by that much. Is Williams really as valuable as an all-star point guard, a lottery pick, and two high draft picks? If I were a GM I wouldn't have given up so much without at least acquiring some surrounding players like the Knicks did. The Nets made a knee-jerk trade in an attempt to get something done before the deadline, but I'm not sure how much it actually helped. 2. Chauncey Billups Poor Billups got thrown into this trade without ever being asked of his consent. He was close to finishing out his career in his hometown, and even though he likely never would have won a championship there, he already had one in Detroit and surely would have been content riding out into the sunset where he grew up as a kid. Billups now comes to an uptempo offense which goes against the way he's played for his entire career. He will have to be the third man on a scrutinized team, which means he won't get any of the praise if things go well but will likely get lots of the blame if they don't. On the bright side, he is now on a more complete contender, but not where he wanted that team to be. We'll have to wait and see how the trade plays out down the road to know who the real winners and losers are. Who will Denver and Utah select with their picks? Will Williams flourish with Robin Lopez down low? Will Anthony and Stoudemire play well together? Only time will tell.