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Knicks Rumor: ‘Preliminary’ Trade to Send Carmelo Anthony to Cavaliers

By William Lee

Dec 10, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts between plays against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the New York Knicks 99-97. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts between plays against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the New York Knicks 99-97. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Knicks Rumor! “Preliminary” Talks of sending Carmelo Anthony to the Cavaliers in a three-team trade has begin! Although… Melo still has the right to veto any trade…

According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, there has been “very preliminary discussions” about trading New York Knicks‘ superstar Carmelo Anthony.

"The Daily News has learned that the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers have discussed a blockbuster trade centered around Kevin Love. There were very preliminary discussions about expanding the deal to include the Knicks and Anthony, who would have to waive his no-trade clause in order to facilitate a deal to the Cavs."

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Fans have been clamoring for Anthony to get traded, especially with the rise of rookie sensation Kristaps Porzinigis – their timelines just does not line up. Porzingis is a 20 year-old, who is just starting to develop in the league, while Anthony is about to turn 32 years old and is on the decline from his prime. By the time Porzingis is matured and fully developed, Anthony will be nowhere near his superstar status…

So the question is, what will New York receive in this exchange?

"The Knicks would receive draft picks and players in return. One of those players is believed to be Timofey Mozgov, who five years ago was traded by the Knicks to Denver in the Anthony deal."

Ironically, Timofey Mozgov was the player holding up the initial trade that brought Anthony to New York… now the Knicks are apparently getting him back in this “preliminary” trade talk.

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The draft picks are key! The Boston Celtics have the first round pick of the Brooklyn Nets (UNPROTECTED), Dallas Mavericks (protected), and Minnesota Timberwolves (protected) this year, as per RealGM. Boston also hold Brooklyn’s 2018 first round pick and has the right to swap first round picks in 2017 from the Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce trade… Seriously… WTF was Billy King doing… The Celtics also hold A TON of second round picks from various teams. They have just been hoarding ALL the picks!

The Cleveland Cavaliers also have a bunch of garbage second round picks, but any combination of those first round picks that Boston currently own – WOULD BE LOVELY! Especially that unprotected Nets pick this year, Brooklyn currently has the third-worst record in the league with 14 wins at the All-Star break. Only the Los Angeles Lakers (11) and Philadelphia 76ers (8) have fewer wins.

New York could instantly begin a rebuilding process centered around Porzingis, have young players grow up and develop with the 7’3″ Latvian. That way when Porzingis moves into the prime of his career, he will hopefully have some running mates on the same career trajectory.

Although, Isola could not emphasis “preliminary” enough, saying that “those talks have not progressed”. Also during All-Star Weekend Anthony deflected any questions regarding being traded, as per Isola.

"“Not yet. I’m pretty sure I’ll have that conversation with myself and my family and my team,”“But it’s not a conversation for right now.”"

Interesting that Anthony did not flat-out just say no, that he is open to having a conversation about possibly being traded with his family. This could be the opening that give the Knick fans that want Melo gone from New York, the hope they needed.

But Isola is quick to point out that because of Anthony’s family, he might refuse to waive his no-trade clause.

"During free agency two summers ago, Anthony said one reason for not signing elsewhere is that his son was comfortable living and going to school in New York."

Although… according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, Anthony said that everybody dreams of playing with another star player.

"“I think everybody kind of dreams and hopes that they can play with another great player, another star player. It’s a star player’s league,”“I think that’s what we talk about when we all get together – ‘I want to play with you, I want to play with you.’ Even here different guys say, ‘Come play with me, come play with me.’ So that’s always the mindset. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it don’t. But I think everybody that’s in my situation, that’s in my position, they all want the load off especially the older they get. Because you realize you just can’t do it all by yourself. Everybody knows that.”"

Could this be a message to management that he actually does want to leave, and is willing to waive his no-trade clause IF he were to be traded to a Championship contending team?

More knicks: More Rumors - Knicks Have a Shot at Russell Westbrook in 2017

Either way, things just got A LOT more interesting. The upcoming 2016 NBA trade deadline this Thursday just became must-see TV for Knick fans. Stay tune to the Daily Knicks for the most up to date Knicks rumor and news.

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