UPDATE: On Sunday, reports indicated that the Knicks were prepared to send Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Raymond Felton to Denver as part of a trade package. However, the team considers its latest offer to be its last.
"We're not going any further now," the source said. "It's out of our hands," Knicks sources told Newsday.
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LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The New York Knicks insist they are on the same page in their pursuit of Carmelo Anthony, and Isiah Thomas isn't involved in it.
Without mentioning either of those people by name, the Knicks released a statement Sunday attempting to shoot down reports that their negotiations with the Denver Nuggets had been taken out of the hands of team president Donnie Walsh by Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan - with Thomas advising him.
"We want to make it abundantly clear that we have been in constant communication throughout this process and the three of us are in complete agreement with everything that we are currently working on. Together, we will do what is best for the long-term success of the franchise," said the statement, which was attributed to Dolan, Walsh and coach Mike D'Antoni.
Walsh has been patient in his approach with Anthony, who can become a free agent after the season. The Knicks could just sign him then without having to give up any of their young core in a trade with the Nuggets.
But a New York Daily News report that Dolan had met Thursday with Anthony in Los Angeles, followed by a Yahoo! Sports report that the Knicks had increased their offer to the Nuggets to include three starters, triggered speculation that the owner was overruling his basketball people because he wanted a trade done before Thursday's deadline.
Walsh previously had said he didn't understand the fuss about Dolan's involvement, since ownership always is when a trade becomes closer.
But Dolan's presence has sparked further belief - along with some panic and outrage by Knicks fans - that he is relying on Thomas, the team's former president and coach during a tumultuous 4 1/2 years.
Though a plan to rehire Thomas as an official consultant fell through last August because his position as coach of Florida International University prevents him from being employed by an NBA team, Dolan said at the time that he would "continue to solicit his views."
But the Knicks say that's not happening on this deal.
"In addition, we want to make it clear that no one from outside our organization has been involved in this process in any way," the statement read.
The Knicks said they would not have any further comment.