NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks, Cavs Talked Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love Deal? Blockbuster Trade Would Unite Friends LeBron, Melo

Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James earlier this week said his squad was too top heavy and lacked depth particularly when it comes to a “playmaker” aside from All-Star guard Kyrie Irving. James was critical that Cleveland hadn’t improved compared to last season’s championship squad.

As it turns out, there were at least discussions with Cleveland making a blockbuster deal. The New York Knicks reportedly tried to persuade the Cavs to fork over forward Kevin Love in exchange for embattled small forward Carmelo Anthony, ESPN reported Wednesday citing league sources.

The Knicks, who have toiled of late and sit three games back of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, approached Cleveland about a trade for Love but Cleveland was “not interested.”

The Knicks front office evidently believed it could first speak to the Cavs to weigh their interest in the deal before approaching Anthony about possibly waiving his no-trade clause, according to the report.

The fact that Anthony and James have been friends since their high school days was a factor, however, the Cavs were not willing to part with Love, who has improved in most categories this season.

Earlier this month, the Knicks and Anthony appeared to be heading for a break-up. A report by a confidant of Knicks president Phil Jackson suggested Anthony’s time with the team was coming to an end and that Anthony was only willing to waive the no-trade clause if the deal sent him to either the Los Angeles Clippers or the Cavs.

Anthony fully rebuked the report and said he would like to talk to Knicks management to see if they indeed wanted to part ways nearly six years after New York completed a blockbuster deal that brought him from Denver. It included young players and draft picks, a costly haul that’s resulted in one trip to the second-round of the postseason since Anthony arrived.

Anthony’s contract would also complicate a potential deal with the Cavs. 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.