The rumor mill starts getting pretty juicy this time of year as the NBA trade deadline approaches and a number of teams are playing musical chairs behind closed doors with their different players and assets in order to fill needs or help further the direction the organization is heading.
There has been some chatter the last few weeks about Carmelo Anthony and whether the Knicks should deal him (yes) and whether Melo would should waive his no-trade clause to facilitate any trade (depends).
The first big time rumor about Melo on the block ascended from the NBA rumor heavens Wednesday afternoon as ESPN reporters Marc Stein and Chris Haynes reported the following:
“The Knicks have tried — unsuccessfully — to engage the Cavaliers in Carmelo Anthony-for-Kevin Love trade talks in advance of the league’s Feb. 23 trade deadline, ESPN.com has learned.
League sources told ESPN.com on Wednesday that the Knicks have approached the Cavaliers to gauge their interest in swapping All-Star forwards but were told that Cleveland is not interested in such an exchange.”
This rumor is about as juicy as it gets around trade deadline time with no big-name, star players involved in a swap. There is absolutely no surprise the Cavaliers swiftly shut this idea down though as Love is easily having his best season in Cleveland, fits in seamlessly with the defending champs at this point, makes a few less million per season than Carmelo (Cavs are already way into the luxury tax) and is five years younger and generally a better basketball player at this point.
The trade really doesn’t make sense from the Knicks perspective either, other than getting another star in return that is five years younger than Carmelo, because many of Love’s strengths mirror Kristaps Porzingis and they play the same position. Porzingis can’t handle the wear and tear of being a full-time center and would have to be a high-level defender alongside Love to protect the rim.
It’s smart of the Knicks to try and part ways with their overpaid 33-year-old star while he is still on the tail end of his prime, but their trade partner should be an up and coming team in search of a lead scorer with young players or assets to offer, like Boston. That’s if Carmelo (or maybe his wife La La) accepts any trade though.
May the drama continue in the Big Apple.
