Despite Carmelo Anthony’s pronouncement that he doesn’t want a trade to Portland, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum still want to convince the All-Star forward to waive his no-trade clause and join the Trail Blazers. During Lillard’s basketball camp, the Blazers backcourt duo told reporters they believe that Anthony is willing to make a move to the Pacific Northwest based on their earlier conversations with the 10-time All-Star.
According to Joe Freeman of the Oregonian, McCollum is convinced that Anthony is interested in joining the Blazers. Jay Allen of Rip City Radio said that Lillard claimed that it’s a real possibility that Anthony could leave the New York Knicks and bolt for Portland.
McCollum also told Blazers.com's Casey Holdahl that Portland will become a top-three team in the West immediately of they add Anthony.
Blazers willing to trade for Anthony
Earlier, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com that the Blazers were willing to join a multi-team trade but only if they will land Anthony and not to another Western Conference rival like the Houston Rockets. Wojnarowski added that both McCollum and Lillard would like to convince Anthony to include the Blazers to the list of his preferred trade destinations. Previously, Anthony listed Houston and Cleveland are his preferred trade destinations due to his closeness to Chris Paul of the Rockets and LeBron James of the Cavaliers.
The Rockets and the Knicks have started negotiations on a trade involving Anthony.
At first, the Rockets offered power forward Ryan Anderson but the Knicks rejected it as they don’t want to be burdened by the remainder of his contract, worth $61 million. To hasten negotiations, the Rockets have brought in two more teams, making it a four-team trade. The Knicks temporarily shelved the talks after hiring Scott Perry as their new general manager to give him time to talk to Anthony and find ways to reincorporate the veteran to the team.
Anthony wants out of Knicks
However, Wojnarowski said Anthony told the Knicks that he doesn’t want to play for them and expressed his intention to be traded to the Rockets. Wojnarowski added that the Rockets are willing and ready for a long negotiation with the Knicks, which could drag until September or possibly the start of training camp. Anthony is expected to earn $26.2 million next season and has a player option worth $27.9 million for the 2018-19 season.
