Carmelo Anthony (Photo : Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
The news has broken about the longtime NBA trade rumor of Carmelo Anthony being shopped has actually happened.
It was confirmed on ESPN that the New York Knicks actually contacted the Cleveland Cavaliers offering their star player Carmelo Anthony in exchange for Kevin Love. However, this was promptly rejected even before it was proposed to Carmelo (for his no-trade clause).
The confirmation was credited to Marc Stein and Chris Haynes: "League sources told ESPN on Wednesday that the Knicks approached the Cavaliers to gauge their interest in swapping All-Star forwards but were told Cleveland was not interested in such an exchange."
Truth is, the Cavaliers refusal was rather predictable. The surprise was that Phil Jackson actually made the offer. It was reported that he and Carmelo Anthony had already met. Jackson asked Anthony if he still wanted to be a Knick and he answered affirmatively.
There was a lot of risk involved in this move by the Zen Master, which prompted Andrew Lynch of Fox Sports to make this analysis.
"Yet Jackson made the call anyway, which is the clearest indication he and the Knicks no longer care whether Melo is happy in New York. If Jackson is being so bold as to kick the tires on such a high-profile trade, we're no longer talking in hypotheticals or innuendo when it comes to Melo trade rumors."
Lynch concluded: "The Knicks want Melo gone. Period. With the right deal (and the right destination), he'll be more than happy to oblige."
If the Knicks want to lose Anthony and the Cavs will not accept him (at least in exchange for Kevin Love), then who should Phil Jackson call next?
The Brooklyn Nets could be a destination since the main reason why Anthony wants to remain a Knick is because he wants to stay in New York. A deal centering on center Brook Lopez could be the key but one possible issue is Melo's friction with Jeremy Lin, the Nets' starting point guard (though he's currently injured).
The LA Clippers would be the next logical option, but it hinges on Blake Griffin and Doc Rivers' chances of re-signing him in the summer. If Griffin gives any indication about leaving, then both sides are likely to approve a swap. Los Angeles is probably the only city where Anthony and wife Lala would agree to leave the Big Apple for.
