Knicks Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Carmelo Anthony
Feb 8, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) inspects the basketball before a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The 2017 NBA trade deadline is nearing and New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony is the talk of the town. What’s the latest surrounding a potential trade?
If the 2016-17 NBA regular season is Carmelo Anthony’s last with the New York Knicks, it’s been a memorable one. Between the persistent trade rumors and the public feud with the team president, it’s been a tumultuous ride.
Based on the latest rumors from around the NBA, however, it appears as though trading Anthony will be far more complicated than presumed.
Anthony is a nine-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA Second Team honoree, and three-time All-NBA Third Team selection. He won the 2013 scoring title and led the Denver Nuggets to the 2009 Western Conference Finals.
Now 32 years of age, however, Anthony has been placed on the trading block by Knicks team president Phil Jackson.
It’s no secret that Jackson and the Knicks have reached out to the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Clippers. No trade talks have gained traction, but New York appears to insist upon trading him.
The question is: what are the latest rumors surrounding the Knicks’ star player? Some may catch fans by surprise.
Dec 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson looks on during a stop in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Carmelo Anthony Won’t Let Phil Jackson Win
The New York Knicks have been distracted by a public feud between star Carmelo Anthony and team president Phil Jackson. Jackson has taken to national television and Twitter to criticize Anthony, and trade rumors have since followed.
Acccording to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, Jackson’s public approach to pushing Anthony out has only strengthened the 32-year-old’s resolve.
New York Knicks president Phil Jackson’s public campaign to pressure Carmelo Anthony into waiving his no-trade clause is working to harden Anthony’s resolve to remain with the franchise, league sources told The Vertical.
Anthony wants to play for the Knicks, whether Jackson wants him to or not.
Anthony is in his seventh season with the Knicks and the third season of his five-year deal. He has a no-trade clause in his contract, which gives him the final call on whether or not a trade involving him can be executed.
Thus, if Anthony doesn’t want to be traded, then he will have the power to make the final decision on any move Jackson attempts to execute.
If Wojnarowski’s report holds true, it appears as though Anthony will be seeing his Knicks tenure through. At the very least, Anthony seems adamant about remaining with the Knicks through the 2016-17 NBA season.
New York my be on the outside looking in of the postseason picture, but the star isn’t ready to abandon ship.
Feb 1, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) reacts after a call in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jimmy Butler May Recruit Carmelo Anthony
The New York Knicks have been rumored to be in contact with three teams: the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Clippers. A fourth team could soon become involved, with star player Jimmy Butler leading the Chicago Bulls’ pursuit.
According to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times, Butler and Carmelo Anthony recently caught up over a phone call—and could speak again about joining forces in Chicago.
“That is half the battle,’’ Butler said about making a player from another team feel appreciated. “And I could still do that. Everybody knows what Carmelo can bring to a team. The dude is a hell of a player.
“But we have some things that we’ve got to worry about here first in the next few weeks [leading into the Feb. 23 trade deadline] before we go down that road.’’
That’s an interesting option that Phil Jackson and the Knicks could soon explore.
By joining the Bulls, Anthony would play with a contemporary star in Jimmy Butler and a close friend in Dwyane Wade. That’s an alluring combination that could pique Anthony’s interest and enable Jackson to execute a trade.
The return may not be as strong from Chicago as it would be from Boston, Cleveland, or Los Angeles, but it could still be intriguing enough to get a deal done.
The Bulls have a number of intriguing players who are age 25 or younger. 25-year-old forwards Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic could be options, with the latter fitting Phil Jackson’s infatuation with Liga ACB products.
Coupled with a draft pick and intriguing young players such as former Knick Jerian Grant, Denzel Valentine, and Paul Zipser, as well as veteran Taj Gibson, a trade could make sense.
Jan 23, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) is guarded by Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Prefers Jimmy Butler, Paul George To Carmelo Anthony
The Boston Celtics are the most attractive trade option for the New York Knicks. Boston has draft picks, promising young players, and an ability to deal multiple pieces without sacrificing the core of its rotation.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, Danny Ainge isn’t enamored with the idea of adding Carmelo Anthony and would rather acquire a younger and more well-rounded star.
Boston’s shown minimal interest in Anthony, preferring to continue its pursuit of persuading Chicago (Jimmy Butler) and Indiana (Paul George) to engage in trade talks that involve two younger, more well-rounded stars.
Boston may call New York if Jimmy Butler and Paul George prove unavailable, but don’t hold your breaths.
Anthony is 32 years of age and more of a scoring machine than an all-around player. Butler, meanwhile, is a 27-year-old star entering his prime. He’s averaging 24.6 points and 4.8 assists per game, and is widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in the NBA.
George is 26 years of age and already has three All-NBA nods, three All-Defensive Team selections, and a pair of Eastern Conference Finals appearances on his resume.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that Anthony doesn’t interest Boston. Instead, it’s likely a sign that Danny Ainge is only willing to trade the Brooklyn Nets’ 2017 first-round draft pick in exchange for a player who has youth on their side.
Anthony to the Celtics remains a possibility, but it’s hardly surprising that Ainge is prioritizing younger players with a bigger title window.
Jan 23, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) is guarded by Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland: Much Ado About Nothing
The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers have been rumored trade partners for weeks on end. The trade would see New York send Carmelo Anthony to Cleveland in exchange for four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA power forward Kevin Love.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the Knicks and Cavaliers haven’t been in contact about a trade since New York first gauged Cleveland’s interest.
A Cavaliers source also told ESPN there have been no follow-up calls to the Knicks beyond the original call from New York to gauge Cleveland’s interest.
Anything is possible between now and Feb. 23, but it doesn’t appear as though the Cavaliers will be executing a trade.
Love is currently averaging 20.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.6 3-point field goals made in 31.8 minutes per game. He’s shooting just 42.8 percent from the field, but has shooting marks of 38.0 percent from 3-point range and 87.8 percent from the free throw line.
Having been selected to make his fourth career All-Star Game appearance, Love has redeemed himself after two lackluster seasons in Cleveland.
Whether fortunate or otherwise, the Cavaliers appear unwilling to part ways with Love in order to acquire Anthony. That could be a sign that Cleveland’s front office views Love as more of an asset than Anthony would be.
It could also be a sign that Cleveland wants to create a Big Four in light of the Golden State Warriors making one of their own.
The Carmelo Anthony saga becomes stranger by the day.
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