Now that the NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans is over, we bring you back to your regularly scheduled drama called the New York Knicks.

The team newcomer guard Derrick Rose’s unexcused game absence in December 2016 seems like forever ago. Former Knicks great Charles Oakley’s recent run-in with team owner James Dolan was embarrassing for the struggling franchise that hasn’t won a championship since 1973. The Knicks also entered All-Star Weekend with a 23-34 record, fourth-worst in the East.

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The biggest spotlight on the team this week is back to whether they will get rid of the-very-hard-to-trade Carmelo Anthony.

But Melo says it’s not that simple.

“I haven’t figured out a situation that makes sense for both parties. I am not the kind of guy who just goes out there and says, ‘Get me outta here … get me outta here,’ without having a plan. It’s bigger than that,” Anthony told The Undefeated after Sunday night’s NBA All-Star Game.

The Knicks would love to trade Anthony before Thursday’s trade deadline. He is making a mammoth $26.5 million this season and has two more years on his contract paying $26.2 million and $27.9 million, respectively. The 10-time NBA All-Star also has a “no-trade clause,” when means his consent would be needed for a trade. The 32-year-old also has an expensive 15 percent trade kicker.

The Knicks currently have nothing strong on the trade front for Anthony, a source told The Undefeated. One NBA general manager told The Undefeated that the Knicks told him they don’t believe Anthony would waive his trade kicker.

“I haven’t heard anything. I haven’t talked to anybody,” Anthony said.

Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks takes a shot against Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets during 2017 NBA All-Star Game at Smoothie King Center on February 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks takes a shot against Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets during 2017 NBA All-Star Game at Smoothie King Center on February 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
RONALD MARTINEZ/GETTY IMAGES
Knicks president Phil Jackson has been openly critical of Anthony in what appears to be a ploy to persuade him to waive his no-trade clause. There have been reports that Anthony would be willing to waive the clause for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics. Anthony has said repeatedly said that his preference is to stay in New York, and those close to him say it’s not coach speak. He could be open to considering waiving his no-trade clause for a great opportunity, a source said.

The Knicks return to practice in Westchester, New York, on Tuesday. Anthony, however, doesn’t have to return until Wednesday, since he played in the All-Star Game. The Knicks’ first game after the NBA All-Star Game is on the road against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday. Anthony was scheduled to return to New York City via charter plane early Monday morning and looks forward to relaxing his brain for a few days.

“Mentally I’m good. For me, I’m trying to compartmentalize it and deal with it to be able to focus and have a clear mind. I’m just trying to play basketball and have fun. Sometimes I feel like I am not allowing it to be fun with everything going on. The last two months has been about me trying to enjoy the game,” Anthony said.

One member of the Anthony family who is enjoying the game is his son, Kiyan.

Anthony earned his 10th overall All-Star selection last week as a replacement for injured Cavaliers forward Kevin Love. He has been an NBA All-Star every year that Kiyan, who turns 10 on March 8, has been alive. Anthony adores the fact that his son is a basketball junkie who wants to be a great player like his father. The youngster actually chose to play for his AAU basketball team in Portland, Oregon, over the weekend instead of going to New Orleans to watch his dad suit up with the NBA’s best.

“I’m proud of him. Originally, I wasn’t selected. The tournament was there and he was happy to go and that was going to be during our All-Star break. At the last minute things changed, but he was happy to go to the tournament,” Anthony said.

Kiyan’s dad hopes he can be happy playing basketball again soon, too.

WaltLongmire wrote:

“I haven’t figured out a situation that makes sense for both parties. I am not the kind of guy who just goes out there and says, ‘Get me outta here … get me outta here,’ without having a plan. It’s bigger than that

Simply means that a trade he would be willing to accept has not come up yet. Seems to imply that he has been given some potential trade possibilities, but that his plan is not to leave without a good landing point for HIM.

That's pretty fair. Word is that Cousins' agent scuttled a trade that Sacramento was trying to arrange, Divac came out and said that was the better offer. These stars run the league... there wouldn't be a league or a $110M salary cap without them. I think it's fair for them to have say in the matter once they've paid their dues to a certain extent.

Also, I sort of read that as him really wanting to go to the Clippers, but the Clippers couldn't make a deal that would work for the Knicks.

crzymdups wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:

“I haven’t figured out a situation that makes sense for both parties. I am not the kind of guy who just goes out there and says, ‘Get me outta here … get me outta here,’ without having a plan. It’s bigger than that

Simply means that a trade he would be willing to accept has not come up yet. Seems to imply that he has been given some potential trade possibilities, but that his plan is not to leave without a good landing point for HIM.

That's pretty fair. Word is that Cousins' agent scuttled a trade that Sacramento was trying to arrange, Divac came out and said that was the better offer. These stars run the league... there wouldn't be a league or a $110M salary cap without them. I think it's fair for them to have say in the matter once they've paid their dues to a certain extent.

Also, I sort of read that as him really wanting to go to the Clippers, but the Clippers couldn't make a deal that would work for the Knicks.

I bet you are right about the Clippers thing, too. Phil hasn't exactly been a smooth operator, but I'm glad that Jackson is not simply willing to give Anthony away.

CrushAlot wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:

“I haven’t figured out a situation that makes sense for both parties. I am not the kind of guy who just goes out there and says, ‘Get me outta here … get me outta here,’ without having a plan. It’s bigger than that

Simply means that a trade he would be willing to accept has not come up yet. Seems to imply that he has been given some potential trade possibilities, but that his plan is not to leave without a good landing point for HIM.

That's pretty fair. Word is that Cousins' agent scuttled a trade that Sacramento was trying to arrange, Divac came out and said that was the better offer. These stars run the league... there wouldn't be a league or a $110M salary cap without them. I think it's fair for them to have say in the matter once they've paid their dues to a certain extent.

Also, I sort of read that as him really wanting to go to the Clippers, but the Clippers couldn't make a deal that would work for the Knicks.

The Clippers have discussed Blake to the Celtics for Crowder, picks, and Smart or Bradley. Do they flip some of that to get Melo if they can do that deal.

nyknickzingis wrote:That would be interesting. If Clips deal Blake to Boston, get a few good young players. Then send one of those players and Austin Rivers, to the Knicks. Would probably make Phil want to do a Clipper deal more. I agree with crazymd that Clippers are only team Melo goes to. I can't see him move his family to Cleveland. Already has a house in LA. Already loves it there. His wife's work won't suffer. Good city for that. He increases his salary. Plays with CP3 his bud, So many positives for him.

For us, a Clipper deal with Austin Rivers as a center piece sucks. If we get Rivers + Smart, now that's a little interesting.

nixluva wrote:

nyknickzingis wrote:In the games I have watched Boston play us, Smart has impressed me. He is very similar to the Bulls defensive talent Phil had as a coach. So versatile defensively. Can move from 1, 2, 3 and even some 4's. He's so strong. Physical. Such a great defensive talent.

Problem is his offense and mentally he's not always there. He reminds me of Ron Artest, in that he's a bit of a headcase and not a pretty player on offense, but a great defensive talent that can change the game on that side.

This Knicks team needs a defensive talent like that like fish needs water. Even Crowder is a really solid defender. I'd be happy if we got either of those two and another young starter.

But again I don't see it happening. I see us doing almost nothing and going for a playoff run, that will wind up being a blessing because keeping this team in tact is better than tanking. We're already losing like a tanking team would. We have lost 7 of the last 9 and something like 75% of our games since the 14-10 start. A change in talent may actually help us, and make us win games. Teams wouldn't know how to game plan for us at the start, and we'd probably win more games just based on having better younger players who would defend.

Man this team needs a CLEANSE!!! I want to see changes and a clear demarcation of the win now to a rebuild approach.

Basically the knicks will be very young, very euro if Rubio for Rose comes together.

By the way, how many teams actually use the stretch provision?? We talk about it a lot but few teams I know of do.
Noah if he can't play needs to retire, and we'll have to pay him. If he can go 20 min a game he can still be valuable there, and great for the Yoots!
Intrigue, drama......Stay tuned!!!

CrushAlot wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:

“I haven’t figured out a situation that makes sense for both parties. I am not the kind of guy who just goes out there and says, ‘Get me outta here … get me outta here,’ without having a plan. It’s bigger than that

Simply means that a trade he would be willing to accept has not come up yet. Seems to imply that he has been given some potential trade possibilities, but that his plan is not to leave without a good landing point for HIM.

That's pretty fair. Word is that Cousins' agent scuttled a trade that Sacramento was trying to arrange, Divac came out and said that was the better offer. These stars run the league... there wouldn't be a league or a $110M salary cap without them. I think it's fair for them to have say in the matter once they've paid their dues to a certain extent.

Also, I sort of read that as him really wanting to go to the Clippers, but the Clippers couldn't make a deal that would work for the Knicks.

The Clippers have discussed Blake to the Celtics for Crowder, picks, and Smart or Bradley. Do they flip some of that to get Melo if they can do that deal.

Not much could be better for us in trading Melo then Boston getting involved cause they have what we really need in draft picks and young players.

newyorker4ever wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:

“I haven’t figured out a situation that makes sense for both parties. I am not the kind of guy who just goes out there and says, ‘Get me outta here … get me outta here,’ without having a plan. It’s bigger than that

Simply means that a trade he would be willing to accept has not come up yet. Seems to imply that he has been given some potential trade possibilities, but that his plan is not to leave without a good landing point for HIM.

That's pretty fair. Word is that Cousins' agent scuttled a trade that Sacramento was trying to arrange, Divac came out and said that was the better offer. These stars run the league... there wouldn't be a league or a $110M salary cap without them. I think it's fair for them to have say in the matter once they've paid their dues to a certain extent.

Also, I sort of read that as him really wanting to go to the Clippers, but the Clippers couldn't make a deal that would work for the Knicks.

The Clippers have discussed Blake to the Celtics for Crowder, picks, and Smart or Bradley. Do they flip some of that to get Melo if they can do that deal.

Not much could be better for us in trading Melo then Boston getting involved cause they have what we really need in draft picks and young players.

I could see LAC upgrading with maybe Bradley and using some parts to bring in Melo.