Maurice Harkless spoke to reporters about being mentioned in trade rumors for New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony.
The trade rumors surrounding New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony won’t go away until he’s finally moved. It can’t be easy to be included in rumors like that but Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless seems to be taking it all in stride.
Harkless tells Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News on being the primary name involved in the Melo rumors, “It doesn’t do anything for me to get involved with that,” he said. “If it happens, it happens.”
Per Bondy, Harkless has a history with new Knicks general manager Scott Perry from their time together in Orlando. The 24-year-old claims to have developed a strong relationship with Perry after three seasons with the Magic before the trade.
“(Perry and I) had a really good relationship. We still have a good relationship. We actually spoke not too long ago. We talk all the time,” Harkless said. “He’s a real down-to-Earth guy, a real dude. He doesn’t really sugar coat stuff. So I think that’s why players take a liking to him.”
The former St. John’s star is on a great contract (three-years, $31 million remaining) and can slide right into Anthony’s spot as the starting small forward.
Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum are actively recruiting Anthony to be a part of their team, but the biggest obstacle remains.
The ten-time All-Star doesn’t want to go anywhere but Houston.