1:25pm: The Knicks and Clippers have discussed the idea of an Anthony trade that wouldn’t involve any of L.A.’s Big Three, according to Frank Isola of The New York Daily News. The Knicks are open to that possibility, though it wouldn’t be easy, since the Clippers have a hard cap and can’t afford to add much salary. As noted below, the team has also traded away multiple future first-round picks already.
Isola also points out that even if the Clippers were to put Griffin on the table in trade talks (and there’s no indication the team would do so), the Knicks wouldn’t be able to acquire him as long as Derrick Rose is on their roster. The league’s CBA prohibits teams from carrying two players on maximum-salary, designated-player rookie scale extensions, which describes both Griffin’s contract and Rose’s.
11:45am: In addition to having contacted the Cavaliers to discuss a potential Carmelo Anthony trade, the Knicks have also reached out to the Clippers and Celtics to “probe their interest” in a possible deal involving Anthony, according to Adrian Wojnarowski and Chris Mannix of The Vertical.
[RELATED: Knicks’ Carmelo-For-Love Pitch Rebuffed By Cavs]
League sources tell Wojnarowski and Mannix that Knicks president Phil Jackson is “determined to find a destination and deal that Anthony would agree to accept.” The nine-time All-Star is one of three NBA players with a formal no-trade clause in his contract, and has repeatedly expressed a preference to remain with the Knicks. However, Anthony has also acknowledged that if the Knicks wanted to rebuild and came to him with a proposal, he’d be open to considering it.
Although Jackson reportedly told Anthony earlier this month that he doesn’t subscribe to criticisms put forth by his longtime friend Charley Rosen in a recent column, Wojnarowski and Mannix hear from league sources that the Knicks president would like to move Anthony and begin rebuilding around Kristaps Porzingis.
According to The Vertical, the Clippers are a team that would interest Anthony, though it’s not clear if the Clips and Knicks would be able to work out a trade that makes sense for both sides. Los Angeles likely wouldn’t be willing to part ways with one of its Big Three – Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan – and the Clippers have already traded multiple future first-round picks — 2021’s pick would be the earliest one they could move.
As for the Celtics, they’d have an easier time putting together a suitable trade package, since they’re loaded with young players and draft picks. However, GM Danny Ainge has long been considered averse to giving up many of those assets unless he can land a superstar. Anthony would have fit that bill in the past, but he’ll turn 33 this spring, and his production has declined a little in recent years, so he may not be the sort of big fish the C’s want to land.
In addition to the fact that he’ll have to approve any deal, Anthony will also be tricky to trade because of his contract. Including this season, Carmelo has three years and $78.7MM+ on his deal, and his salary would increase substantially if he’s dealt, since the contract features a 15% trade kicker. Any team hoping to acquire him would have to send back significant salary to the Knicks, who will be reluctant to absorb too many multiyear contracts if they want to open up cap room for the coming summer.
Still, despite the potential roadblocks, it appears the Knicks would like to make a move with Anthony in the coming weeks, and with his name continually popping up in trade rumors, the Syracuse product may be more inclined to sign off on a deal. This will be a situation worth monitoring closely as we approach February 23’s trade deadline.
Praying Ainge’s interest in Carmelo = 0.
I agree a MILLION times!
I ain’t even a Boston fan and I’m praying he don’t get sent there and ruining what you got going
Griffin for Melo… For the Clippers – Blake is injured too much, not going to max him out again and Melo can still play and is a better fit with Jordan in the post primarily. For the Knicks, they need to move on from Melo and they would max out Blake with the hope he doesn’t get injured as much.
Blake for melo is horrible. Blake is younger and more talented, despite being injury prone.
Agreed. Knicks would have to send more to LA for the Clippers to trade Blake for Melo, even with Blake’s injury history.
More talented? all blake can do is dunk… he has no shot, no post up move, no 3 ball…
But Blake can post up. He’s also a better passer and a better rebounder. Melo is an amazing scorer and can score from anywhere…but that’s about it.
Which is basically what the Clippers need from him.
Max out Blake? Hell no
I see where you coming from. but why do the clippers want to take that contract and what assets do the teams have to trade for cap space for their huge contracts,I mean I like the idea of part of the banana boat teaming up but would help fit with what the LAC or doing and Blake would be nice in NY but he won’t have a pass first PG like Paul in D rose I dunno man just my opinion I am a die hard Pistons fan
That would speed up the closing of a window that is already closing. The clips have already given away picks the one star that really makes it all work(CP) only has a a few years left before he starts declining. If they trade Blake they need to get back picks and/or younger prospects. The Celtics would be a better trade partner for the clips.
Did you guys bother to read the article? The Knicks cannot acquire Blake as long as Rose is on their roster.
If I were the Celtics, I’d be interested to see if a package of Amir, Zeller and James Young with the Clippers’ 2019 1st round pick would be a starting point for talks. I just feel that due to the $$ part of the equation, the Knicks have little leverage in demanding a huge package.
Considering that the combined value of Amir/Zeller/Young doesn’t even come close to Melo, Celtics would need to probably add/substitute an earlier first round pick. And probably throw in one of the Celtics recently drafted draft and stash guys (forgot their names…Yubsele and that other European big).
Those 3 guys are worthless, and likely “cuts” or non-tendered if they stay in Boston (Young was nearly cut this year, and Amir was signed for 1 season as a stop gap). The Clip’s pick is protected/remote to the point of being worthless. Ainge lets this chance to buy at a discount go bye bye, he’ll regret it. Knicks can hold Melo (and frankly Dolan may elect that in any event regardless of their kicking the tires).
I feel Boston would be dumb to trade for melo. They are one of the top teams in the east. Why break up the team for a guy like melo who might ruin what their doing
You guys need a game changer to beat the West. The East has 1 team with over 28 wins this season…the west has 5!
Melo is seriously undervalued. He is a guaranteed 20pts a night and his mid range game is unrivaled. He would absolutely thrive playing with Chris Paul and would put the Clippers in the upper echelon of the West since he is better than Griffin IMO (half of it is that he’s not injured). He would probably take Boston to the top team in the East too. Boston plays great team ball and also play defense. Melo would be that guy they can rely on in the 4th quarter (along with Thomas). Too bad they don’t have the salary cap space to make it work. They do have the draft picks though.
Not sure why folks are hating on him so much.
Melo is a notorious ball stopper so going to a team that emphasizes ball movement isn’t going to change Melo. And while Boston has played good defense in the past, they’re actually a pretty poor team this year. Adding Melo would only add to those issues.
He scores and does absolutely nothing else. He’s a ghost on defense, is a ball stopper, barely ever passes, etc. see how much better the Knicks play when Mr. “Superstar” isn’t on the court? His scoring is also down by about 4 ppg. He’s in the twilight of his career.
I don’t deny that the Knicks and Clippers have discussed a deal but in what universe are the Clippers able to get Melo without giving up one of Blake, CP3 or Deandre? Even if you don’t value Melo at all, why would Knicks take a package headlined by Austin Rivers!
Melo for Crowder
Lol
Boston should be interested. Not a playoff threat with their current roster, and its very unlikely anyone better than Melo will be available. But Ainge is not up to it. He’ll go for another first round knock out (or maybe second round) and then another draftee they can’t get starter minutes for.
It would be stupid and I trust in Danny not to do it.
Melo is playing not on a superstar level this year his contract and his age…
With melo nothing would change.
Boston did the best and fastest rebuild u can wish for…
Better trade something for a real star or wait for the young guys to develop, the future is bright for us!!
A rebuild into mediocrity is all they’ve done. Ainge is great piece collector, but unless McHale gets another job not capable to putting together a real title contender. Nobody is trading a “real” star to any other team without getting a real star back (and Boston doesn’t have one). You don’t trade a great player for a bunch of good ones (and/or high draft picks) unless there are special circumstances. If this real star is available to Boston, why hasn’t the trade been made for 2 years?
Did know one read this article where it clearly says that Melo can’t be traded for Blake. Stop talking about something that’s not even a possibility
That’s true unless they also trade D. Rose to a 3rd team…which is in the realm of possibility.
To be fair, I didn’t have that note in the original story — forgot that both Rose and Griffin were still on those rookie extensions.
Or just cut Rose (if they decide to tank). Though, I think they would do a 3 team and send Griffin somewhere that could send rebuilding assets to the Knicks.
I kept saying for the longest, clippers can get melo from NY without giving up Blake. As desperate as NY is to ship him off, Clippers could pack up Rivers,Crawford, Mbah a Moute, and picks to get melo.
The only tradable pics Clips have are 2021 and 2023. If Knicks got both unprotected (they’d have to be), then I could see them taking on Rivers and Crawford contracts. They can no cap space in the deal, unless they can spin off Rivers.
Damn, I didnt think about that. I guess if any deal was to go down with the clippers, a third team woukd have to be involved.
link to espn.com
I want the Celtics to be in on these trade talks and heres why:
1. Melo goes to LAC because the Clippers want him.
2. Celtics trade a package of Amir, Crowder, and the Celtics 2018 1st to the Knicks. Crowder has 3 years after this at a discounted price. Amir Expires. Celts still have BK 2018 1st.
3. LAC sends either Griffin or Jordan (preferably Jordan) to the Celtics and Felton to the Knicks
4. Celtics also send the Clippers back their rights to their own 2019 pick and maybe Zizic or Yabu.
In this scenario the Knicks tank (but with upside), the Clippers actually get better with Melo, and the Celtics get better without giving up a Brooklyn Pick. Celtics can now extend IT4 and AB while still having room for an offseason addition.
link to espn.com
sorry heres the trade.
If Griffin can be had for that price (Melo and some throw-ins), then why wouldn’t the Knicks just add some throw-ins and keep Griffin. Nothing unique about Zizic or the Clips likely very late pick. Knicks could alternatively spin Griffin off for more than Crowder and a very late pick. Sorry, but I doubt the Celtics are getting Griffin even if they include the Nets’ pick. Jordan is signed, so he’s completely off the table.
knicks cant aquire griffin. unless they spin off drose.
If Danny Ainge gets a call from Phil Jackson and doesn’t hear the name Porzingis in the first 10 seconds, he should hang up. There is nothing on the Knicks roster — especially Anthony — that could help the Celtics.
thats why they need to involve a third team to send melo to and a rebounding center to the C’s!
Carmelo for reddick, Crawford or rivers and Wes johnson, plus throw in a 1st round pick.
Knicks aren’t going to get much for him, he is a good shooter and holds the ball, but he isn’t athletic and can’t defend, doesn’t make others better like a true star. His midrange and pull up game is nice but make him drive and he can’t finish. He likes living in New York though, and like coach Karl’s book says he doesn’t care enough about winning, he just wNts to be a star and score the most, that’s why he got jealous of linsanity and porzingas.
He will never take the blame for Knicks struggles either, he will blame other players, coaches, front office, ownership, or refs, just like Lebron is doing now.
The big problem is the Knicks spending 18m a year on Noah and if they re up on Rose they are dumb, he just wants to gangbang Chicks and feel like he is too good for the team.