Out of all the storylines and trade rumors we’ve seen come out of this incredibly eventful NBA offseason, there is only one that remains relevant. The trade talks that have smothered Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks organization all summer remain unfinished as the disgruntled star is still a Knick with the season just over a month away.
There have been comings and goings in these discussions but Melo has narrowed his choices down and will only waive his troublesome no-trade clause for one team: the Houston Rockets. Though the Knicks and Rockets have engaged on Melo discussions on multiple occasions, no deal is imminent and it is likely a third team would have to be involved to pull it off.
Despite this, Anthony and his camp remain hopeful that a trade will be finalized before the Knicks hold their media day next Monday according to Frank Isola of NY Daily News: ‘Anthony’s camp is cautiously optimistic that a deal will be struck before Monday, and trying not to think about the potential media circus that will take place if Carmelo is still with the Knicks.’
Isola also added that the deal between Houston and New York should’ve been done months ago, as the two were nearing an agreement earlier in the summer: ‘In July, a source familiar with the negotiations between the Knicks and Houston Rockets told The Daily News that the teams had discussed parameters of a potential trade, and that the deal was on the “two-yard line”’
Though the deal was nearly agreed upon, things likely got cloudy when Phil Jackson was fired and the franchise’s direction became more unapparent. A full rebuild around Latvian centerpiece Kristaps Porzingis is likely the desired route but Carmelo Anthony will remain in the picture as long as he refuses to waive his no-trade clause.
I think everyone expected a trade to have been finalized at this point but since it’s not, the drama in New York may even exceed what it’s been like in the past. With just days separating us from media day and a month until the commencement of the regular season, Anthony being dealt before the offseason’s conclusion looks to be a far-fetched idea, though he and his camp remain hopeful.
