The NBA trade rumors just had the biggest blockbuster buzz in recent years. Carmelo Anthony could join long-time friend and rival LeBron James.
This shocker started as Frank Isola of NY Daily News spilled the details that the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics were indeed discussing a Kevin Love trade, but the idea was that the package the Celtics were sending to Cleveland would be diverted to New York for Carmelo Anthony.
"The Daily News has learned that the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers have discussed a blockbuster trade centered around Kevin Love," Isola claimed. "There were very preliminary discussions with the Knicks about expanding the deal to include Anthony, who would have to waive his no trade clause in order to facilitate a deal to the Cavs."
The veteran Daily News reporter added more details about the trade: "The Knicks would receive draft picks and players in return. One of those players is believed to be Timofey Mozgov, who five years ago was traded by the Knicks to Denver in the Anthony deal."
SB Nation called it "the wildest trade rumor yet" but admitted that the trade makes a lot of sense with in light of recent developments on the New York Knicks front.
The Knicks' failure to lure a star free agent and their eventual drafting of Kristaps Porzingis point to a direction of a full but slower rebuild. That step might be derailed because the Knicks don't have a first round draft pick this year, but if they do trade Carmelo Anthony they could have a high lottery pick (if they insist on the Brooklyn Nets' pick).
Isola also revealed that Phil Jackson has an opt-out clause and he might leave the Knicks with the legacy that he tried both the fast route (re-signing Melo, chasing free agents) but it did not work. Still, he made a great (and bold) draft decision that set the course of the next era of the franchise.
The conclusion from both Isola and SB Nation is that the trade will never happen. It would take much more for Jackson to surrender on the Knicks and his commitment. There are also doubts on what the Celtics would give up, specifically the Brooklyn pick whose value is yet undetermined.
Also, a major change like this to the contending Cleveland Cavaliers may be seen as a bailout. The Cavs are not a bad team, and Kevin Love is not a bad player so any changes they should not just dump him and break-up their Big Three.