NBA Trade Rumors: Clippers, Cavs Interested In Knicks' Carmelo Anthony? Willing To Waive No-Trade Clause?

Nearly six years ago, the New York Knicks acquired forward Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets in one of the biggest blockbuster trades of recent memory, believing they had found a young superstar to lift the moribund franchise back to the top.

Today, the Knicks and Anthony are embroiled in a “he said she said” back-and-forth, leading to heavy speculation that Anthony could open the door out of New York by waiving his no-trade clause.

The fresh saga involves a report from a former assistant of ex-head coach, now Knicks team president Phil Jackson, and Anthony’s learning of the report and response to it following Sunday’s disheartening road loss to Toronto. It was New York’s 10th loss in the last 12 games.

Charley Rosen was an assistant of Jackson’s with the Albany Patroons, and reported for blog Fan Rag Sports, saying the 32-year-old Anthony would be willing to waive his no-trade clause only if the move was to the Cleveland Cavaliers or Los Angeles Clippers.

Rosen’s long-standing ties to Jackson, who’s faced criticism for his management of the team, have led many to believe the article reflected the former Bulls and Lakers coach’s thinking.

Anthony responded by telling reporters that he hasn’t considered waiving the clause and that the new line of questions comes from “that side.”

"I've never even, haven't even thought about that," he said. "Like you said, I guess there's people talking about it. I don't know, I haven't thought about it. It's not something that I've thought about so far."

Anthony added: "Listen, if that's how they feel, if that's coming from that side, then that's what's coming from that side. I haven't thought once about that. I hear it, hear all the rhetoric going on out there. I still come to work every day, play and bust my ass, and try not worry about it.''

Anthony is averaging 22 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists over 33.2 minutes per game this season, but the Knicks have hit a major slump and fallen out of the Eastern Conference playoff race at the moment.

Second-year forward Kristaps Porzinigis has recently dealt with an Achilles injury while first-year Knick and former league MVP Derrick Rose has also played well but not at the superstar level many had hoped he’d rediscover after New York snagged him from Chicago in a trade last summer.

If the Cavs or Clippers are Anthony’s preferred destinations, it will be quite difficult for Jackson to swing a deal. For one, Anthony’s contract is still quite large and has several seasons left on it. He’s making $24.5 million this season and $26.2 million next year, with a $27.9 million player option for the 2018-19 season.

In any deal, teams usually have to match player contracts within about $1 million, meaning Cleveland or L.A. would have to give up a star or several young players or picks to consummate a trade. However, both have the two highest payrolls in the league this season. Cleveland has $127.6 million devoted to player contracts, pushing it $33.4 million above the salary cap and $14.3 million over the luxury tax line, according to Spotrac.

The Clippers are at $114.7 million, more than $20.5 million over the cap, but do have about $2.5 million in luxury tax space.

Still, both are considered contenders in their respective conferences and forking over any young assets or picks could hinder their runs this season and beyond.