What a summer it has been so far for the NBA fans. So many interesting things and moves have happened and it seems like we're only getting started. The fans around the NBA waited for weeks to see where will Paul George finish, and even though it was expected that he signs with the Cavaliers, George ended up with the Oklahoma City Thunder. After failing to acquire George from the Pacers, the Cleveland Cavaliers turned their attention on acquiring Carmelo Anthony from the New York Knicks. Not only have they failed so far in getting Anthony, but the Cavaliers are also looking at a catastrophic outcome this summer as Kyrie Irving requested to be traded from Cleveland.
The news about Irving's trade request came as a shock to everybody in the NBA, and even LeBron James himself was stunned to hear that his teammate wants to be traded.
Anthony no longer interested in joining the Cavs
Marc Berman of the New York Post reported on Monday that Carmelo Anthony is no longer interested in joining the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer. This news reportedly came as a result of Kyrie Irving's recent trade request, as Anthony doesn't want to be a part of a dysfunctional Cavaliers team. Apparently, Anthony's primary choice are still the Houston Rockets and it would be a major surprise to see him in the Cleveland Cavaliers jersey at the beginning of the 2017/2018 season.
According to Berman, the Rockets are the favorites to land Carmelo this offseason and having Chris Paul and James Harden already on the team surely helps.
The three of them are good friends on and off the floor as well, and it seems like it is inevitable that Anthony finishes in the Houston Rockets uniform. The combination of Chris Paul, James Harden and Carmelo Anthony would give the Rockets a legitimate shot of beating the Golden State Warriors in a potential Western Conference Finals next season.
Yet another blow for the Cavaliers
Carmelo has a no-trade clause in his contract with the Knicks and he would have to approve any potential deal the Knicks make. The reports about him not wanting to join the Cavaliers come as somewhat of a surprise since he and LeBron James have been close friends for many years. The 33-year old small forward from New York expressed his concerns about the Kyrie Irving situation in Cleveland and he apparently doesn't want to be a part of another drama at this point in his career. Anthony holds career averages of 24.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game and there's no doubt that he would be a great fit for any team in the NBA right now.