You know what we haven’t enjoyed enough of in recent weeks?
Carmelo Anthony updates!
The latest from ESPN.com’s Adrian Wojnarowski has the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets renewing trade negotiations, with only one twist: There is no new twist!
Per Woj:
The New York Knicks and Houston Rockets have re-engaged on trade talks involving 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony, with the Rockets again canvassing third-team trade partners to construct a deal, league sources told ESPN.
Anthony remains steadfast that he only plans to waive his no-trade clause for the Rockets and refuses to expand his list to include more possible destinations, league sources said.
Nevertheless, no pathway has emerged for a deal directly between the two teams, and finding a broader package to include forward Ryan Anderson and the three years and $60 million left on his contract remains problematic, league sources said.
Woj notes the Knicks and Rockets apparently appeared close to a deal before Phil Jackson left the organization, but that was then, and this is now. General manager Scotty Perry and team president Steve Mills aren’t looking to just move Anthony for the sake of moving him. At least it doesn’t appear that way.
Failing the inclusion of first-round picks or prospects, the Knick should at minimum be targeting salary-cap relief. If it doesn’t come this season, it must come this summer, in the form of expiring contracts. Otherwise, any deal should be a hard pass. They have no business taking on salary beyond this season, not after paying Tim Hardaway Jr. $71 million.
That sticking point has long been the hang-up in talks—well that, and Anthony’s refusal to consider playing for a team outside Houston. The Rockets won’t make the deal without jettisoning Ryan Anderson, who has three years and $61.3 million left on his contract. The Knicks, however, won’t absorb that hit. The Rockets can find someone else who will, but that team will likely want to lop off a bad contract of its own while getting first-round compensation for its facilitation.
The whole thing, really, is a patented mess. And the longer the Knicks and Anthony retain their respective stances, the more likely it seems he’ll begin training camp in New York.
