Knicks Trade Rumors: Carmelo Anthony open to trade to Thunder
New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony has expanded his list of the teams to which he’s willing to be traded. The latest addition: the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The New York Knicks spent a vast majority of the offseason attempting to construct a trade that consistently failed to gain traction. After roughly two months of attempting to deal Carmelo Anthony to the Houston Rockets, those attempts appear to have come to an end.
With Anthony seemingly realizing that he won’t be playing for the Rockets in 2017-18, he’s informed the Knicks that he’s willing to accept a trade to other contenders.
In Houston, Anthony would team up with All-NBA guards Chris Paul and James Harden. With the Rockets seemingly off the table, Anthony added another team with All-NBA talent on the roster to his list: the Cleveland Cavaliers.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, a third team has joined Cleveland and Houston on Anthony’s list of preferred destinations: the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Knicks have been informed that Oklahoma City is one of the other teams Carmelo Anthony has included on his list, team sources told ESPN
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) September 23, 2017
It’s worth noting that Bill Simmons of The Ringer reported that Anthony and the Thunder shared mutual interest in late July.
Have a scoop - OKC and Carmelo are officially circling each other. OKC's Troy Weaver recruited Melo to Cuse + has known him since DMV days.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 24, 2017
That rumor is beginning to grow legs in late September.
One could fairly argue that Cleveland, Houston, and Oklahoma City are the only three teams with a shot at unseating the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors are still heavy favorites with four All-NBA players and a Finals MVP, but the Cavaliers, Rockets, and Thunder are in the contending tier.
Houston has two MVP candidates, Cleveland is led by an All-NBA trio of LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Isaiah Thomas, and Oklahoma City has made drastic improvements after a 47-win season.
In addition to being led by reigning NBA MVP Russell Westbrook, the Thunder acquired three-time All-NBA honoree Paul George without losing much value in a widely applauded trade.
With Anthony, Oklahoma City would roll out one of the best starting lineups in the NBA. A core of Westbrook, George, and Andre Roberson would lead the perimeter, and Anthony and Steven Adams would create a balanced interior that checks the boxes for modern standards.
The question for the Knicks, however, is: Who would the organization have interest in acquiring from the Thunder’s roster?
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Nothing is imminent just yet, but Carmelo Anthony is expanding his options. The New York Knicks may now be tasked with attempting to design an ideal trade.