If the Knicks are going to trade Carmelo Anthony before the Feb. 23 NBA trade deadline, it’s going to take a perfect storm of events.
That storm must include:
-A contending team Anthony will waive his no-trade clause to join.
-Something back in return the Knicks find valuable.
-A team desperate enough to take on Anthony’s big deal, add a ball-dominant player to the mix in February and deal with natural decline from a 32-year-old.
Over the past few weeks, the Clippers have emerged as the team that makes the most sense.
Now, according to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times, a potential deal–not involving any of the Clippers stars like Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan or Blake Griffin–should be looked at as a ‘win-win’ for both sides.
This is really a no-brainer from the Clippers’ perspective, especially if he can be acquired without including Paul, Blake Griffin or DeAndre Jordan in the trade, as Broderick Turner of The Times has reported the team has insisted upon in talks with the Knicks.
Anthony would also improve how the Clippers are positioned for the upcoming summer, when Paul and Griffin are expected to become free agents. The presence of a scorer such as Anthony would figure to only improve their chances of retaining Paul, who is 31 and running out of time to win a championship.
The Knicks win, too, simply by unloading Anthony’s contract. Anthony’s run with the Knicks is over. Every indication is that his relationship with Knicks President Phil Jackson has become untenable. The franchise’s Hail Mary attempt to salvage the Anthony Project failed, its off-season trade for Derrick Rose is ending as almost everyone expected it would. The time has come for the Knicks to start rebuilding around Kristaps Porzingis.
Carmelo trade rumors
Heading into play on Feb. 6, the Clippers owned a 31-20 record, good for fifth place in the Western Conference.
Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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