Although star forward Carmelo Anthony still remains a member of the New York Knicks, the recent blockbuster trade between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics might be enough to re-spark his interest in joining forward LeBron James and the Cavs for the 2017-18 NBA season.
According to Knicks beat writer Marc Bermen of the New York Post, the trade that sent star point guard Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics should make the chances of the Cavs trading for Anthony more realistic.
“The Irving chaos and LeBron James’ reported wish to bolt Cleveland after the season turned Anthony’s main focus toward Houston,” Berman wrote. “But the Cavaliers came out of the Irving fiasco looking more formidable than ever by adding explosive point guard Isaiah Thomas, defensive forward Jae Crowder and the rights to the Nets’ potential lottery pick next June.”
Anthony continues to be part of rumors involving a trade between the Knicks and Houston Rockets so he can team up with star guards Chris Paul and James Harden, but the two teams are still unable to get a deal completed that works for both sides.
Bermen said that the trade of Irving to Boston and the addition of Crowder to Cleveland could be essential for the Cavs if they wish to obtain Anthony.
“The gritty Crowder can’t be traded for 60 days — until Oct. 22, but the Knicks consider him an attractive piece,” Bermen wrote. “Now that Cleveland has secured the Nets’ pick, under NBA rules it is permitted to trade its own 2018 first-rounder.”
He also believes that the departure of former Knicks team president Phil Jackson in June and the potential to send guard Iman Shumpert back to New York could work in the Cavs’ favor.
“Also, with Phil Jackson gone, it’s not as far-fetched for the Knicks to consider taking back Iman Shumpert, who had been looking at a change of scenery, too,” Berman wrote.
Anthony, who would have to waive the no-trade clause in his contract in order for a deal to take place between the Cavs and Knicks, will become a free agent in 2018.
Hypothetically, if the star forward were to be bought out of his contract in February when New York is out of the Eastern Conference playoff race, Anthony would be free to sign with Cleveland or Houston and become a major contributor for a championship contender.
The likelihood of a trade that brings Anthony to the Cavs is still up in the air, but it’s clear that Cleveland is willing to make big moves to their roster and Anthony’s situation with the Knicks front office is far from being resolved.
