Knicks Rumors: Carmelo Anthony Would Waive No-Trade Clause For Boston Celtics
New York Knicks Rumors: Carmelo Anthony would reportedly waive his no-trade clause to join the Boston Celtics, giving Phil Jackson another team to negotiate with.
The New York Knicks rumors carousel is up and running once again. Carmelo Anthony has been the center of attention recently in New York. The fans and media have gotten on him constantly, which he has admitted wears on him. Team President Phil Jackson has reportedly been determined to move Anthony as well.
Trading Anthony is not an easy proposition. With the no-trade clause, Anthony holds all the power. Anthony is one of three players, along with Dirk Nowitzki and LeBron James, with a full no-trade clause in their contract. He can decline any trade that he is involved in if he does not want to leave, which has been the case.
Anthony has been adamant with his stance that he wants to remain in New York. Earlier this month when he met with Jackson he made that point clear. But, as the days have worn on, Anthony’s willingness to leave has seemed to increase.
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Just days after the meeting, Anthony said he would waive his no-trade clause if the team wanted to go in a different direction. It seems like the Knicks are ready to head in a different direction, as Jackson has been working the phones to try and find a deal.
The options are limited. If Anthony leaves, it will have to be to a team that is close to winning a tite. Jackson reached out to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but they turned him away. He also engaged the Los Angeles Clippers, who seem to be interested. The Clippers are interested enough that they are looking for a third team to help facilitate the deal.
Now, Jackson will have another team to try and work out a deal with. According to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, Anthony would waive his no-trade clause to join the Boston Celtics. Is the feeling mutual?
An NBA source said the Celtics are not interested in Anthony, but the Knicks have sent scouts to their games to look at some players they are intrigued in. Washburn reports that general manager Danny Ainge has rejected any deals thus far, but head coach Brad Stevens would embrace coaching Anthony.
The Celtics have plenty of assets that would be excellent additions for the Knicks. Some combination of Jae Crowder, Avery Bradley, and Marcus Smart would be a good place to start. Jonas Jerebko, Amir Johnson, and Tyler Zeller could be used as cap filler to make salaries match. Youngsters such as James Young, Demetrius Jackson, and Terry Rozier, who struggle to find minutes on a deep Celtics team, could be targets for the Knicks as well.
Next: Knicks Should Trade Carmelo Anthony To Celtics
What the Knicks would really like from the Celtics, or in general in an Anthony trade, is draft compensation. The Celtics have the ability to either swap picks with the Brooklyn Nets or own their draft pick for the next three drafts; if the Knicks can acquire any of those three picks it would be put their rebuild on the right track.