Carmelo Anthony has the New York Knicks by the contractual balls.
Phil Jackson and company, however, are hoping he’ll soon let go.
Per ESPN.com’s Ian Begley (h/t RealGM):
Anthony has said several times he’s committed to New York and has no plans to waive his no-trade clause. And he’s had the opportunity to do so. Boston expressed interest in Anthony prior to the trade deadline but was told Anthony had no desire to leave the Knicks via trade to play for the Celtics, sources say.
So Anthony hasn’t given any indication he plans to explore his options on the trade market this summer. He said as recently as three weeks ago that he has no plans to leave the Knicks.
But there are some in the organization who believe Anthony may change his stance — and look into his options on the trade market — if the Knicks fail to add talent in free agency, according to league sources with knowledge of the situation.
All told, Anthony seems more likely to stay in New York than anything, even if he’s willing to ditch his no-trade clause, a distinct possibility should the Knicks fail to land any big whales through free agency. If they do land a marquee name or two, everything changes. Anthony’s status becomes a moot point. He won’t want to leave.
Then again, it might be a moot point no matter what. He has veto power over any deal and won’t want to join a team that decimates its roster and asset stable just to acquire him. And, beyond that, the list of teams he’ll actually want to play for is bound to be super short. The Los Angeles Clippers are a lock to be on that wish list, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, because of LeBron James, might fall on there, too. Every other possible destination is up in the air. The Los Angeles Lakers are no longer relevant; the Houston Rockets’ title window appears to have closed at least for now; the Bulls won’t be going anywhere until they pry themselves out of the Derrick Rose era; and the Boston Celtics, while a legitimately intriguing destination, apparently couldn’t sway Anthony ahead of the trade deadline.
Will Anthony become less specific if the Knicks don’t guarantee themselves a spot in the NBA’s spring dance before next season even starts? Perhaps, but even if he does, the Knicks are still tasked with brokering a return worthy of flipping someone who is, when healthy, one of the 15 best players in the game.
