Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors: Knicks Star Out Of New York Before Pre-Season

Carmelo Anthony’s departure has been speculated since then-president Phil Jackson publicly ousted him during an April press conference. Subsequently, the New York Knicks star has been linked to teams like the Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Portland Trailblazers — and now it’s rumored he’ll be traded before the start of pre-season.

Knicks insider Frank Isola seemingly added fuel to the rumors Wednesday when he suggested Anthony was likely headed to Houston next week. The deal's progress was reportedly close and at the "two-yard line" in July, but talks had slowed during the offseason. Afterward, both teams had searched for a third team to help fulfill the Knicks’ asset requests.

"Anthony’s camp is cautiously optimistic that a deal will be struck before Monday, and trying not to think about the potential media circus that will take place if Carmelo is still with the Knicks," Isola reported in the New York Daily News. "Two weeks ago, Carmelo’s wife, La La, said the family thought a trade would have been completed by now."

"Mentally, Carmelo and his family have moved on to Houston," the Daily News said. "Reality is another story. Hopefully, Mills and Perry will have the right answers when they address the media on Friday because the Carmelo issue isn't going away until he goes away."

Despite trade rumors dating back to early summer, Anthony and his crew remained confident that a deal would happen. Monday is the first day of the Knicks training camp and pre-season isn’t too far behind, which leaves little room for a deal to happen before the start of the NBA regular season. Anthony has a no-trade clause, which narrowed the Knicks trade suitors. Anthony has only been connected to deals involving the Clippers, the Trailblazers and his most preferred destination, the Rockets.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski suggested on The Woj Pod Sept. 9 that an Anthony to Houston deal was unlikely because the team lacked assets that the Knicks demanded. The door was seemingly closed on a deal to the Clippers after the team traded All-Star guard Chris Paul to the Rockets this summer. Portland seemed to be the next logical choice, according to Wojnarowski.

"Houston right now just does not have a pathway to do a direct deal with New York on what New York wants," Wojnarowski said. "Melo has not really waived the no-trade, he's not really open, maybe that happens. I think New York is hoping he opens this up. Portland would love for Melo to open this up."

The 14-year veteran spent the offseason honing his game in the gym with former Knicks trainer Chris Brickley. Anthony can be seen in short training videos netting deep three-pointers and gliding around, performing lighting-fast cross-over dribbles in a hooded sweatshirt. The internet went crazy over Anthony’s training videos and even dubbed the Knicks star "Hoodie Melo."

The Knicks seemed to be focused on the future, which may not include Anthony. The team introduced Scott Perry as their new general manager July 17 and he pushed the idea of younger players, with no mention of Anthony.

"I’m excited about the young core players," he said during a press conference, adding that he wanted a "young team that’s going to play energetic, that’s going to compete on a nightly basis."