New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony admits he would 'consider' trade
Jan 19, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) drives against Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Washington Wizards won 113-110. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

In an exclusive interview with Newsday, New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony admitted he would consider a trade.

The haters shouldn’t get too excited. New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony would still prefer to stay put. However, during an exclusive interview with Al Iannazzone of Newsday, the nine-time All-Star admitted there was a scenario that would make him consider a trade.

Anthony tells Iannazone he wants no part of a rebuild.

“I think it will be more on the front office. I have the power, but still I would talk to them. We would be in communication if they feel like they want to go in a different direction, they want to start rebuilding for the future. If they tell me they want to scrap this whole thing, yeah, I have to consider it.”

Notice how he points out that he has the power. If that’s Melo’s way of taunting Phil Jackson through the press well good for him.

Per Iannazone, Anthony isn’t thinking about going anywhere, nor does he allow himself at this stage. The Knicks haven’t blown things up at this stage, though. If they went all Sam Hinkie on the season and then Melo would be open to bailing.

Anthony said that leaving would make him feel like he was hanging his teammates in the middle of the season.

“It’s hard for me to think about that right now. When you’re in the middle of battling, whether we’re winning or losing, me personally, it’s hard to even sit down and say, ‘[Expletive] I want to get out of here.’

“There’s a part of me that also would feel like I’m being selfish to the guys that are on the team right now, in the midst of us losing to just try to figure a way to escape from everything. For me personally, it would be more of something I would really have to think about and consider. Put it all on the table and figure it out.”

Anthony’s large contract plus a 15 percent trade kicker worth nearly $10 million would make him difficult to move. His skills are declining, and not many contending teams need a player like him.

If Melo ever wants to be traded it’s going to be sooner rather than later.