In his return to the New York Knicks, Tim Hardaway Jr. declared that the team wants Carmelo Anthony back amid rumors that he will be traded anytime now. A first-round pick by the Knicks in 2013, Hardaway became close with Anthony during his two-year stay in New York. Hardaway was traded to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a three-team trade that landed them Jerian Grant.

After struggling in his first year, Hardaway bounced back the next season, tallying a career-high 14.5 points and making 35.7 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc in 79 games, prompting the Knicks to sign him to a $71 million offer sheet that the Hawks did not match.

However, Hardaway said he has this “odd feeling” that Anthony might be traded anytime. During his first stint with the Knicks, Hardaway said it was a great feeling having a veteran leader like Anthony on the floor. “It's great to have that. You want to have that. It'll be tough for him to leave. But like I say, he has to do what's best for him and his family," said Hardaway, whose return to New York prompted the Knicks to ramp up trade talks with the Houston Rockets.

Rockets center Nene excited over ‘reunion’ with Anthony

Rockets center Nene took to Instagram to express his excitement over a possible reunion with Anthony.

He posted an edited photo of Anthony wearing a Rockets No. 15 uniform with a caption “he will look great on this uniform”. Nene added that he “can't wait to get back on old Time like in Denver with him”.

Nene and Anthony played with the Nuggets for eight years before they went on separate ways. Nene played with the Nuggets for 10 seasons before he signed with the Washington Wizards. Last season, he joined the Rockets on a one-year deal, averaging 9.1 points in 67 games. Recently, he inked a three-year, $11 million deal to remain in Houston.

Anthony expects to be traded to Rockets

According to Ian Begley of ESPN, Anthony believes that his time with the Knicks is ending. Begley said Anthony is “pretty confident” that he will move out of New York soon.

The Rockets are pursuing Anthony to form a Big 3 with James Harden and Chris Paul. The Rockets shipped Paul to the Rockets for Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker and a top-3 protected 2018 first-round pick. The Clippers parted ways with the 32-year-old Paul after acting as their starting point guard for six years. Last season, Paul averaged 18.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 9.2 assists in 61 games last season for the Clippers.