We’ve seen plenty of players be moved this summer or find a new team but one name that has entrenched itself in trade rumors is that of New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony. Anthony and the Knicks have had their issues for months now and the veteran star is still pushing for a trade, but only to one team. Of course for a deal to go through, Anthony would have to waive his no trade clause and there is currently only one candidate he would do that for: the Houston Rockets.
Houston and New York have already discussed a trade earlier this summer but will need to find a third team to facilitate the deal, something they previously failed to do. Now, the sides have re-opened trade talks regarding the disgruntled forward according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski:
The New York Knicks and Houston Rockets have re-engaged on trade talks involving 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony, with the Rockets again canvassing third-team trade partners to construct a deal, league sources told ESPN.
Wojnarowski also confirmed that Melo remains hell-bent on joining the Rockets and won’t accept a trade that sees him going anywhere else:
Anthony remains steadfast that he only plans to waive his no-trade clause for the Rockets and refuses to expand his list to include more possible destinations, league sources said.
Anthony not budging on his hopes of joining the Rockets have not only put the Knicks in a tough situation, but it could’ve also held up another blockbuster trade from transpiring. Had he been willing to waive his no trade clause for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving could have been a Knick by now though an Irving-Anthony swap would’ve still been a longshot.
The Rockets will still need a third team involved in any deal to pull off adding Anthony and finding that team has already shown to be a daunting task. If traded to Houston, Melo would immediately transform the Rockets into one of the few true threats to Golden State, more so than they already are.
