Carmelo Anthony adds Cavaliers to list of teams he’d join in trade

New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony reportedly added one big name to the list of teams he’d join via trade: the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Carmelo Anthony’s status on the New York Knicks looked to be in limbo for most of the offseason. He was in the headlines for potential trade scenarios and teams he wanted to leave for, along with a public battle former team president Phil Jackson had with him.

In August, Melo only wanted to leave the Knicks for the Houston Rockets. They traded for Chris Paul in the offseason, a star point guard who played for the Los Angeles Clippers for the past six years. He’ll join James Harden, the runner-up for the 2016-17 NBA MVP Award and form arguably the league’s best backcourt.

However, it seems Anthony is willing to expand the list of teams he’d join in a trade. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the 10-time All-Star would accept a trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Why the Cavaliers? For starters, there’s LeBron James, arguably the NBA’s best player and an automatic first-ballot Pro Basketball Hall of Famer. These two would reunite from their Team USA Basketball days in the Olympics.

Isaiah Thomas is also part of the Cavs. His hip is a question, but if he’s healthy, will the point guard that averaged 29 points per game in 2016-17 return to form?

There’s a deep group of Cavs behind them, including former Knicks Iman Shumpert and JR Smith — if they remain on the team after a potential Anthony trade. Tristan Thompson, Jae Crowder, and Kyle Korver are among the other pieces.

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The NBA preseason starts in early October, but it looks like this Anthony drama will drag into it, or at least precede it by days. A potential trade would shake up the NBA and move everyone away from the Kyrie Irving saga of the summer. Will the Knicks move their long-time superstar?