No player has been the feature of trade talks as much as Carmelo Anthony this season. No one knows what exactly will happen with the Knicks’ forward with new reports emerging every week.
Melo is one of the few players in the NBA with a no-trade clause in his contract, meaning he can veto any deals that are made for him. He has previously maintained that he wants to stay in New York and win there, but has also raised eyebrows with a willingness to speak to the front office about a potential parting of ways.
Most recently, there has been a report that Anthony is indeed willing to waive his no-trade clause depending on the team to whom he would be traded. But when asked about that report, Melo went all third-person to kind of deny it but also not deny it.
Following from Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY Sports:
“I hear the new report every day,” Anthony said Tuesday morning. “Every day is a new team. ‘Melo said this, Melo said that.’ Melo hasn’t said anything yet. That’s what I will say. Melo hasn’t said anything yet.”
…
Asked if he had given the Knicks a list of teams he would agree to a trade with, Anthony said, “I haven’t told anybody anything. I haven’t had that conversation with anybody.”
Anthony also reiterated that any decision he does make would be based around his family.
As for what this quote means, well, who knows? Trade talks for Melo have gained a little bit of traction, enough to make it a distinct possibility that he could finish his career elsewhere. The problem is finding a team he would like to join that also sees itself as improving with Carmelo Anthony on its roster. That’s before even considering the package the Knicks would want to receive in return for their aging star.
Until something goes through, I’m not holding my breath that Melo will actually be traded. I also wouldn’t be surprised if he is traded. Perhaps that best describes this whole situation.
