NBA Trade Rumors 2014: Carmelo Anthony, Andre Miller Trade Status Ahead Of Deadline

Carmelo Anthony had one of the best performances in this year’s All-Star Game, scoring 30 points. For much of the weekend, though, the talk surrounding Anthony involved his future with the New York Knicks.

The veteran has stated that he will test free agency in the offseason, and there is widespread speculation that he could be looking to sign elsewhere. After reaching the second round of the playoffs with the New York Knicks a year ago, Anthony is on the verge of missing the postseason for the first time in his NBA career. Even as he averages over 27 points per game, Anthony only has his team as the No.10 seed in a weak Eastern Conference.

If Anthony’s No.1 priority is to win a championship, New York likely isn’t the place for him. The Knicks aren’t close to being able to compete with the best teams in the league, and their salary cap situation won’t allow them to improve much this summer.

If New York is afraid that they might lose Anthony for nothing, their best course of action might be to trade him by the Feb. 20 deadline. Even though the forward has just a few months left on his contract, he still has a lot of value. Other than having him for a playoff run in 2014, a team would benefit by acquiring Anthony because it would let them offer him more money in the offseason.

Anthony has been attached to a few trade rumors this season. Earlier this year, there was speculation that he could be sent to the Los Angeles Clippers and swapped for Blake Griffin. There have also been unsubstantiated reports linking Anthony to the Chicago Bulls. Despite the rumors, it doesn’t look like Anthony is going anywhere soon. The Knicks are looking to re-sign the All-Star to a max contract, and Anthony has expressed his desire to remain with the club.

"I don’t want to be traded,” Anthony said on All-Star Weekend. “I came to New York, I said before I wanted to retire here. I said it, meant it. That’s how I feel. I still feel strongly about that. That’s why at the end of the season, everything has to be laid out — something that we can grow with and build on."

If the Knicks do make a trade by Thursday, it might be to upgrade the point guard position, not get rid of their best player. Raymond Felton has struggled mightily this year, and the Knicks are reportedly trying to upgrade the position. One point guard that seems to be available is Andre Miller. The veteran hasn’t played since Dec. 30 when he got into an argument with Denver Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw. Since then, the organization has been unable to move him at their asking price.

According to CBSSports.com, Denver might be rethinking their stance on Miller. No team seems willing to offer the Nuggets anything substantial for the 37-year-old, and they need depth at point guard. However, a source tells Yahoo! Sports that the relationship between the two sides is irreparable.

Before leaving the team, Miller averaged career-lows with 5.9 points and 3.3 assists in 19 minutes per game. The Knicks, Kings, Nets and Warriors have all been reportedly shown interest in Miller at different points this year. In January, CBS Sports reported that the Nuggets turned down multiple Sacramento offers, which included Marcus Thornton or Jimmer Fredette as the centerpieces of proposed deals.