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Knicks Trade Rumors: Carmelo Anthony willing to join Cleveland Cavaliers

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 18: Carmelo Anthony #7 and LeBron James #23 of the Eastern Conference talk during the 2017 NBA All-Star Practice as a part of 2017 All-Star Weekend at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 18, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 18: Carmelo Anthony #7 and LeBron James #23 of the Eastern Conference talk during the 2017 NBA All-Star Practice as a part of 2017 All-Star Weekend at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 18, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Carmelo Anthony is reportedly willing to join the Cleveland Cavaliers. The New York Knicks have contacted Cleveland about a potential trade.

The worst kept secret in the NBA is that Carmelo Anthony and the Houston Rockets share mutual interest. Unfortunately for Anthony and Houston, the New York Knicks have been unable to create a mutually beneficial trade package.

As Anthony faces the reality that he may not be granted the trade that he’s requested, he appears to have opened his mind to other possibilities.

Houston and New York have been to the negotiating table on multiple occasions. Unfortunately, trade talks have fallen through due to the Rockets’ insistence to include polarizing power forward Ryan Anderson in a potential trade.

According to Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News, the Knicks have reached out to another franchise about Anthony: the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Shortly thereafter, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that Anthony would be willing to waive his no-trade clause in order to join LeBron James in Cleveland.

That could mean that Anthony is willing to join franchises other than the Cavaliers and Rockets, but for now, Cleveland is the franchise worth focusing on.

The Cavaliers have made three consecutive NBA Finals, winning the 2016 Larry O’Brien Trophy. James has reached the Finals in seven consecutive seasons, which inevitably makes Cleveland a compelling destination for a title-hungry veteran.

Anthony reached the 2009 Western Conference Finals with the Denver Nuggets and 2013 Eastern Conference Semifinals with the Knicks, but he’s been otherwise searching for team success.

Cleveland could be the franchise that provides him with his best opportunity to compete for an elusive NBA Finals appearance, as well as a championship.

The question that must be answered, of course, is whether the Cavaliers can offer a package that appeals to the Knicks. The deal would likely require one of Cleveland’s hefty contracts, although it’s possible that a third team could be introduced to the negotiations.

Kevin Love has surfaced in past trade rumors, but thus far, the Knicks haven’t expressed hard interest in the four-time All-Star.

Must Read: Realistic goals for Carmelo Anthony in 2017-18

The question is: Will Carmelo Anthony be playing for the New York Knicks come October 18? It appears as though his camp is ramping up the efforts to ensure that doesn’t happen.

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