With rumors of Kyrie Irving wanting to play for the New York Knicks, stories have erupted that this means that Carmelo Anthony could be used in a trade to bring Irving to New York. However, Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports that Anthony will only waive his no-trade clause for the Houston Rockets.
Halts Irving to New York scenario
Realistically, who can the Knicks offer other than Anthony? The Knicks are not likely to deal Porzingis because the Knicks like the idea of pairing the two together. The Knicks have a young corps of Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Frank Ntilikina.
The Cavaliers would likely want Ntilikina, but if Andrew Wiggins is not enough to satisfy the Cavaliers, then an unproven point guard that was just drafted is not going to get the job done.
That means that a third team would have to get involved to complete a trade. It's hard to believe that the Cavaliers would be okay with sending Irving to the Knicks, and Anthony to the Rockets, while receiving no potential superstar in exchange. The only way this would happen is if draft picks were involved, and neither team has a lot to offer.
Irving has said he wants to play for New York. He is from that area, and played basketball in New Jersey. However, Anthony is the Knicks' best trade chip. Anthony has been reported saying that he does not want to go to Cleveland because he is unsure if James will stay.
If Anthony does not want to play in Cleveland, then it will be shocking if New York comes up with other assets to please the Cavaliers.
Anthony wants to be a Rocket
Anthony apparently would rather play with MVP runner-up James Harden and close friend Chris Paul, who happens to be an All-Star point guard. Anthony would be a third option behind the two, and would not have to face significant defensive pressure.
Teams would be baffled trying to decide who to guard between the possible trio.
Anthony knows that he is not going to win a championship in New York. There's no guarantee that the Rockets would be better than the Golden State Warriors, but they would give the team a run for their money. At 33 years old, going on 34 very soon, Anthony's best chance is with the Rockets.
Third team trouble
If Anthony is only going to waive his no-trade clause, then that might mean the Portland Trail Blazers will not help facilitate the trade. The Trail Blazers said they would only help make the trade happen if Anthony included them on his list of teams he would waive his no-trade clause for. If the Rockets are the only team, then it might make it even harder to make the trade happen.
