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New York Knicks: Steve Mills talks Carmelo Anthony trade rumors

By Maxwell Ogden

GREENBURG, NY June 3: The New York Knicks Steve Mills introduces Jeff Hornacek as their new head coach during a press conference at the Knicks Practice Center on June 3, 2016 in Greenburg, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)
GREENBURG, NY June 3: The New York Knicks Steve Mills introduces Jeff Hornacek as their new head coach during a press conference at the Knicks Practice Center on June 3, 2016 in Greenburg, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks publicly addressed the Carmelo Anthony trade rumors. How does team president Steve Mills view Anthony’s future with the Knicks?

The New York Knicks have made minimal effort to keep the Carmelo Anthony trade rumors under wraps. Anthony is on the trading block and the organization is prepared to move on from him if the optimal opportunity to do so arises.

The front office is also ready and willing to welcome Anthony back to New York in 2017-18, which makes the process all the more polarizing.

The Knicks have created a polarizing situation by repeatedly asking Anthony to waive his no-trade clause, only to pause trade discussions once he finally caved. With uncertainty now running rampant, the front office publicly acknowledged the matter at hand.

During the press conference on Monday, July 17, team president Steve Mills acknowledged the trade rumors and explained New York’s thought process.

After the quote included in the tweet, Mills added:

"“Carmelo could easily be a part of our team next year. We have to understand how we’re going to play and what the expectations [are] of how we’re going to play, and we’re going to move forward. So maybe with Carmelo, and maybe without Carmelo.”"

That’s not exactly the most committed of statements, but it’s an honest response to a question about the future of the franchise player.

As Mills alluded to, New York has engaged in trade talks with multiple teams about Anthony. Those teams are the Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets, for whom Anthony would be willing to waive his no-trade clause.

Cleveland has a championship-caliber core that includes Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, and is built around one of Anthony’s closest friends: LeBron James.

Houston’s contending core consists of James Harden and another of Anthony’s closest friends: Chris Paul.

It comes as no surprise that the only teams Anthony would be willing to leave New York for have championship aspirations. Although widely regarded as a future Hall of Famer, the 14-year NBA veteran hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2013.

With the Knicks placing the trade negotiations on hold, however, Anthony’s future remains as convoluted as ever before.

Must Read: The Pros and Cons of potentially trading for Brandon Knight

Steve Mills and the New York Knicks will soon come to a decision about Carmelo Anthony and his future with the team—a decision that can’t come soon enough.

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