New York Knicks Rumors: Carmelo Anthony Was Sought After By Boston Celtics?

New York Knicks Rumors: The Boston Celtics reportedly checked in on the availability of Carmelo Anthony prior to the trade deadline, but they were turned away.

New York Knicks rumors continue to crop up despite the NBA Trade Deadline passing last week. First there was a rumor that the Knicks had been offered a trade by the Houston Rockets for Patrick Beverley. The Knicks could have addressed their point guard need, but deemed the price to be too much as the Rockets were seeking two rotation players and the Knicks’ 2018 first round draft pick.

Now, there is another rumor that has cropped up, this one involving the Knicks best player in Carmelo Anthony. Anthony has a no-trade clause in his contract, so trading him is not really up to the Knicks’ the decision ultimately comes down to what Anthony wants as he has final say of being moved.

The Knicks playoff chances are dwindling by the day, as they are falling further and further behind in the Eastern Conference standings. That has had Anthony showing his frustration more than usual this past week, especially after the Knicks got blown out by the Toronto Raptors on Monday night. Things didn’t get any better as the losses continued to mount as Anthony’s struggles against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday played a part in yet another loss.

More from Empire Writes Back

• Caesars New York Promo Code: Win $250 Bonus GUARANTEED on ANY Bet!
• Last Chance Caesars Promo: Claim $1,250 Bonus for ANY MLB Bet!
• Caesars New York Promo Code Gives TWO Chances to Win Betting on Your Yankees!
• PointsBet New York Promo: FIVE $100 Bonus Bets to Back the Yankees or Mets!
• Caesars NY Promo: $1,250 Bonus to Celebrate the Return of Judge!

Despite become more vocal about his frustrations and patience being tested by the losing, Anthony has remained steadfast in wanting to stay with the Knicks and make it work. He had to talk about it constantly over All-Star Weekend that New York is where he wanted to be, and that point was driven home from a quote he gave earlier in the month.

"“Doing it in New York is better than doing it any place in the world. One in New York is better than multiple somewhere else. That was the reason I wanted to come to New York. That’s the reason I’m in New York. … I don’t want to run. I could have run somewhere when I was a free agent. I came back for a reason. I don’t feel like I got to keep expressing that part of why I came back to New York.”"

While Anthony says that to the media, no one truly knows what he is thinking. But, it is safe to say, at least for now, that Anthony wants to remain in New York because it sounded like there was a chance that he could have been moved at the trade deadline last week.

According Ian Begley of ESPN New York, via league sources with knowledge of the situation, the Boston Celtics actually got in touch with the Knicks about the availability of Anthony. The Celtics are one of the up-and-coming teams in the Eastern Conference, currently third in the standings with a record of 33-25 but lack that go-to player in crunch time. Anthony would have given them that, but it sounds like they didn’t have much of a chance of trying to put a deal together.

According to Begley the extent of conversations had between the Knicks and Celtics is unknown, as it could have just been formal discussions without any proposals being exchanged. According to the sources, the Celtics were informed that Anthony had no desire to leave the Knicks and play for the Celtics at the time, so talks probably did not advance far.

More from Carmelo Anthony

• New York Knicks: The Underappreciation of Carmelo Anthony
• Phil Jackson Leaves the New York Knicks with Baggage That Is Unknown
• Knicks Rumors: Boston Celtics Becoming More Interested in Carmelo Anthony
• Carmelo Anthony Backed By NBPA After Phil Jackson Comments
• Knicks Rumors: Team Committed To Trading Carmelo Anthony In Summer

Could Anthony’s tune have changed had these most recent losses came before the trade deadline passed? Anthony is visibly frustrated with how things are currently going, as he looks like he is about to miss the postseason for the third consecutive season. It is something Anthony was not happy about potentially happening when talking about it over All-Star weekend.

“That doesn’t sit well with me. To reflect a little about that, it’s tough. To think about that, to know that it can be three years if we don’t pick it up right away. I try not to think about it right now. In actuality, you have to start thinking about that eventually.”

The Knicks are not mathematically eliminated from the postseason, but their chances are extremely slim. There are five teams and 6.5 games separating the Knicks from a playoff spot, so a small miracle will be needed for them to get back into the playoff picture.

Would another season of no playoff games change Anthony’s mind? That is something he answered as well, saying, “Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. I’m pretty sure I’ll have that conversation with myself, my family, my team [agents]. That’s not a conversation right now.”

When will that conversation happen? There is a chance that it will come up again this summer once the season is finished. A third consecutive season without a playoff berth will not sit well with Anthony, and it could cause him to seriously re-think waiving his no-trade clause.

Next: Who Is The Greatest Point Guard In Knicks Franchise History?

You have to give Anthony credit for wanting to finish something he started, but as each day passes Anthony moves further and further away from his prime. If he truly wants his best chance at winning, a divorce with the Knicks could be what is best for both parties.