New York Knicks: Designing an ideal Carmelo Anthony trade with Houston Rockets

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 02: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks in action against James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden on November 2, 2016 in New York City. The Rockets defeated the Knicks 118-99. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 02: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks in action against James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden on November 2, 2016 in New York City. The Rockets defeated the Knicks 118-99. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 02: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks in action against James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden on November 2, 2016 in New York City. The Rockets defeated the Knicks 118-99. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 02: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks in action against James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden on November 2, 2016 in New York City. The Rockets defeated the Knicks 118-99. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The New York Knicks and Houston Rockets have been unable to come to terms on a trade centered around Carmelo Anthony. How can they make it happen?


The worst kept secret in the NBA is that the New York Knicks are interested in trading Carmelo Anthony. The only exception to that might be that the team with the most interest in acquiring Anthony is the Houston Rockets.

As Houston and New York struggle to come to terms on a trade, however, one can’t help but wonder if the two sides will be able to get something done.

Houston has built something of a super team by complementing James Harden with fellow All-NBA point guard Chris Paul. That dynamic duo will be surrounded by a mountain of depth, including reigning Sixth Man of the Year Eric Gordon.

As general manager Daryl Morey searches for way to round out the roster with a third star, Anthony has become the top target.

For Houston, the goal of acquiring Anthony is one that it may not have the assets to achieve. For New York, the ideal of shipping Anthony out and acquiring more pieces to facilitate the youth movement is proving equally as problematic.

The question is: What can the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks realistically do in order to make a Carmelo Anthony trade a reality?