NBA Trade Rumors: Carmelo Anthony will accept trade to either Cavs or Rockets
After Phil Jackson tried to buy out Carmelo Anthony, it looks like the Knicks’ star will waive his no-trade clause for either the Cavaliers or Rockets.
As NBA Free Agency winds down with the biggest names finding a landing spot, the next thing to watch for are trades. One of the most popular names in the game, Carmelo Anthony, has constantly been in the headlines for the wrong reasons.
When Phil Jackson was the President of Basketball Operations for the New York Knicks, he was hell-bent on getting Anthony and his talents out of town. They desperately tried for a trade, but there was no suitor after Anthony’s injuries and drop in production. It also didn’t help that Jackson was dissing his star in the media.
There was also something in Anthony’s contract that gave him some leverage in these trade talks: the no-trade clause. It’s the part of Melo’s deal that means that the Knicks can’t trade him unless he permits it.
For a while, Carmelo was intent on not waiving the no-trade clause. Jackson got so fed up, he almost bought Melo out, but Dolan stepped in during the eleventh hour and fired Jackson.
Now, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Anthony is willing to waive his no-trade clause for either Houston or Cleveland.
Sources on @ESPN: Carmelo Anthony is now open to waiving no-trade clause for Houston or Cleveland. https://t.co/AneqQQcXCZ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 3, 2017
The 10-time All Star would be willing to leave New York if it meant he could play for the Rockets with James Harden and Chris Paul or the Cavaliers with LeBron James.
According to Wojnarowski, Houston has been aggressive in trade talks, but haven’t gained much traction yet. Unless you believe former NFL wide receiver Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson.
Houston Rockets loading up heavy w/ Melo on the way according to sources close to me...
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) July 3, 2017
Both of these spots are ideal for Anthony due to personal relationships on the team.
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For the Cavaliers, Carmelo is close with his “banana boat” buddy, LeBron James and it’s been long noted that they want to play with each other. For the Rockets, newly acquired Chris Paul and Melo are just as close and would enjoy playing with each other.
Let’s see if either of these teams can put together a package to entice New York into trading Carmelo or if they just get fed up and buy him out.