Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets are trying to work out a possible trade that would include four teams. Anthony has said that he would waive his no-trade clause for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets. The Rockets jumped to the top of his list once Houston acquired All Star point guard and close friend Chris Paul.
Possible scenario with three teams
The Trail Blazers have been linked as a possible third team. One trade that makes sense for all parties is for Anthony to go to the Rockets, Ryan Anderson to The Trail Blazers, and Maurice Harkless and Meyers Leonard to the Knicks.
Draft picks could also be thrown around in there as well.
The Knicks do not want to take on the contract of Anderson. He is set to make $18 million this season. The Rockets cannot afford Anderson and Anthony on the same team with the salaries of Paul and James Harden. The Trail Blazers could use some perimeter shooting to help their backcourt of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. The Knicks were rumored to like Harkless this past season at the trade deadline, and the salaries of Harkless and Leonard are about what Anderson makes.
Lakers could be a fit
The Trail Blazers could still be a team in this trade, but the fourth team could be the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers just signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a one-year deal.
They have to make a roster move in order to pay him. The Lakers had about $17 million in cap space, and Caldwell-Pope signed for $18 million. The Lakers also want to sign Rajon Rondo to the team.
In this scenario, everyone would be happy. The Rockets could send Anderson to the Trail Blazers and a second round pick to the Lakers.
The Lakers could send Jordan Clarkson to the Knicks. The Rockets would get Anthony, while the Knicks would get Harkless, Leonard, and Clarkson. More draft picks would probably make up the rest of the trade.
The Knicks would get three players that are relatively young. Clarkson and Leonard are both 25 years old, while Harkless is 24.
The Knicks are possibly going to lose out on Rondo, so Clarkson could be another option. The Knicks did draft Frank Ntilikina on draft night as their point guard of the future, but he is not a proven player.
This would allow the Lakers to have Rondo on the team and not worry about splitting up time among Lonzo Ball, Rondo, and Clarkson. Nothing is confirmed about the Lakers being involved, but this is one way that this trade could work out.
