While all of the talk is engaging, there is a real reason the New York Knicks won’t be able to ship Carmelo Anthony out of town.
As the NBA trade deadline is getting closer, the rumors of the New York Knicks trading Carmelo Anthony are intensifying.One minute the New York Knicks are trying to trade Anthony to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Kevin Love. The next, he is heading to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Boston Celtics are also one of the teams that the New York Knicks are attempting to make a deal with.
As warm and fuzzy as some may feel when thinking about Melo leaving town, the reality is shipping this guy out is nearly impossible.
Anthony negotiated in his five-year, 124 million dollar contract a no-trade clause. So, the New York Knicks cannot just send him anywhere.
If a deal was reached Anthony would only accept a deal to a team that is contending for a title. This limits what the New York Knicks can do with Anthony.
Chances are if you are trying to deal a star to a team that is already contending for a title, you’re not going to get much in return.
Looking at a deal like Love for Anthony does not make any sense for the Cavaliers to make. Why would they give up a younger all-star caliber player for a fading superstar?
The Boston Celtics have reported saying they are not interested in working out a deal for Anthony. That would leave just the Clippers.
According to reports, there is a deal in place if a third team would join in and Anthony accepted the trade. The deal would send Anthony to the Clippers without them having to give up Chris Paul, Blake Griffin or DeAndre Jordan.
For the Knicks, a deal like that would benefit in the area of clearing up cap space to bring in top tier free agents. The problem with that? There is no guarantee free agents will want to come to New York, especially with the drama that surrounds the Knicks constantly.
At the end of the day, the New York Knicks could explore any possible trade for Anthony. However, a deal will not happen.
Anthony no-trade clause allows him to hold all of the cards. It also handcuffs the Knicks in making a deal because they have only a handful of teams to choose from that he would accept a deal from.
Anthony will remain a Knick, and, most likely, will be a Knick untill the end of his contract.
I just don’t see the New York Knicks trading him and getting nothing in return. Also, the Knicks are currently just one winning streak away from getting back into the playoff picture.
Also, Kristaps Porzingis has been vocal about needing Anthony. He has talked about how important Anthony is to his growth as a player. The New York Knicks will not want to do anything to interrupt the growth of their future franchise player.