Report: Blockbuster NBA trade rumor involving Anthony, Love

February 12, 2016, 9:30 pm

LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, the first and third overall picks in the 2003 Draft, have been teammates for Team USA, but never in the NBA. If the latest blockbuster trade buzz proves legitimate, that could change before Thursday's NBA trading deadline.

According to the NY Daily News, trade discussions between the Cavaliers and Celtics would send Cleveland forward Kevin Love to Boston. Where the rumor goes from interesting to wow is with the Knicks as a third team and Anthony heading to Cleveland.

The Cavaliers haven't figured out an ideal way to use the potent Love alongside James and Kyrie Irving. The Celtics have a plethora of draft picks and interesting pieces, but no front line stars like Love. As for the Knicks, the report describes the discussion of Anthony to Cleveland as "very preliminary" in part because New York's top scorer would have to waive the no-trade clause in his contract.

Despite the presence of Anthony, 31, the Knicks (23-32) are likely to miss the playoffs for a third straight after posting a 1-9 record in their last 10 games. New York also fired coach Derek Fisher earlier in the week.

The Knicks would receive picks and players with Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov reportedly involved. Though first in the East, Cleveland appears a notch below West powers Golden State and San Antonio.

Carmelo Anthony on the move? Blockbuster deal between Knicks, Cavs and Celtics still a possibility

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS /

Updated: Saturday, February 13, 2016, 12:04 AM

Carmelo Anthony has dream of winning a championship but chance to play with LeBron James in Cleveland may not be enough for him to waive the no-trade clause in his contract.

Carmelo Anthony remains committed to the Knicks for now, even if it means passing on the opportunity to join his long-time friend LeBron James in Cleveland.

The Daily News has learned that the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers have discussed a blockbuster trade centered around Kevin Love. There were very preliminary discussions with the Knicks about expanding the deal to include Anthony, who would have to waive his no trade clause in order to facilitate a deal to the Cavs.

The Knicks would receive draft picks and players in return. One of those players is believed to be Timofey Mozgov, who five years ago was traded by the Knicks to Denver in the Anthony deal.

Those talks have not progressed. Plus Anthony reiterated on Friday that he has no plans to seek a trade. However, when asked if he’s thought about his future with a losing organization, Anthony gave a cryptic answer.

“Not yet. I’m pretty sure I’ll have that conversation with myself and my family and my team,” he said. “But it’s not a conversation for right now.”

It would mean the end of this particular 2015-2016 Knicks Triangle Story, which I've enjoyed so much. Including: The Porzingis/Anthony friendship and partnership . . . the reinvention of Anthony as a Triangle player . . . the Lance Thomas success . . . the Derrick Williams reclamation . . . and so on.

Basically: the (22-22) Knicks of January 20 2016 . . . would end up the high point.

It will have been a pretty good story . . . but I'm sure we were all hoping/expecting it to unfold even further. It would be disappointing to have it end prematurely in this way.

If Anthony is traded, the Knicks would be rebooting and starting anew.

That may be necessary -- indeed, I think there's a pretty decent argument for it at this point (coaching continuity is gone, Anthony is 32 years old and injured, playoff hopes are slim, trade deadline is looming, etc ).

I guess I'd have preferred trying some other possibilities first: Fredette at PG, for example.

But maybe there's no more time for that now.

In that case: Knicks Triangle Story 2015-2016 -- RIP.

It was a good ride . . .

earthmansurfer wrote:Tough one, if we don't know if one of the big FA's will come here, then we will be in mediocrity until Melo retires.
If we know that no big FA's are coming, then you go for the picks and a semi-rebuild with a decent core.

It trust Phil here. He probably know what our future looks like via his connections in the league. I do wonder about Melo's health though.

I have a hard time believing Anthony wants to play In Cleveland. Exactly what picks are we getting. Unless we are getting unprotected Brooklyn picks no thanks

Bonn1997 wrote:

Jmpasq wrote:

earthmansurfer wrote:Tough one, if we don't know if one of the big FA's will come here, then we will be in mediocrity until Melo retires.
If we know that no big FA's are coming, then you go for the picks and a semi-rebuild with a decent core.

It trust Phil here. He probably know what our future looks like via his connections in the league. I do wonder about Melo's health though.

I have a hard time believing Anthony wants to play In Cleveland. Exactly what picks are we getting. Unless we are getting unprotected Brooklyn picks no thanks

We're also getting close to 100 mil in cap space. Anthony's body is on the decline.

Jmpasq wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

Jmpasq wrote:

earthmansurfer wrote:Tough one, if we don't know if one of the big FA's will come here, then we will be in mediocrity until Melo retires.
If we know that no big FA's are coming, then you go for the picks and a semi-rebuild with a decent core.

It trust Phil here. He probably know what our future looks like via his connections in the league. I do wonder about Melo's health though.

I have a hard time believing Anthony wants to play In Cleveland. Exactly what picks are we getting. Unless we are getting unprotected Brooklyn picks no thanks

We're also getting close to 100 mil in cap space. Anthony's body is on the decline.

I understand that but Im not trading Melo for picks in the 20's thats crazy. I wouldn't entertain this deal without the 2016 Nets pick. I have a feeling Boston won't be willing to part with it, at least without protection.

It's been reported multiple places that Boston was willing to give up a ton of picks, including the 2016 Brooklyn pick, to move up a couple spots in the draft to get Winslow. I would imagine they'd be giving up a similar package to get Love.