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

By Maxwell Ogden

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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HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 16: Trevor Ariza #1 of the Houston Rockets runs out before the Western Conference Quarterfinals game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2017 at Toyota Center in Houston, TX. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 16: Trevor Ariza #1 of the Houston Rockets runs out before the Western Conference Quarterfinals game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2017 at Toyota Center in Houston, TX. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Team Needs

Team needs are easy enough to diagnose for the Houston Rockets, as nothing matters more to Daryl Morey in this scenario than landing Carmelo Anthony. Houston would benefit from adding a rim protector like Kyle O’Quinn, but Anthony alone would be worth the cost of doing business.

If the Knicks are going to execute this trade, however, then all eyes should be on the position that Anthony would be vacating: small forward.

New York has a promising young talent at four of the five positions. In the backcourt, 19-year-old point guard Frank Ntilikina was a Top 10 pick at the 2017 NBA Draft, and 25-year-old shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. was recently signed to a four-year deal worth $71 million.

Down low, 22-year-old power forward Kristaps Porzingis and 23-year-old center Willy Hernangomez are both viewed as players with star potential.

It’s possible that New York could ask Houston for defensive stopper and former Knicks draftee Trevor Ariza. Ariza is 32 years of age and entering his contract year, however, which means New York could ask for a younger and more developable talent to join him in a trade.

Once again, that brings New York and Houston back to the same reality: In order to get this trade done, a third team will be needed.

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