The NBA trade rumors are starting and the one transaction that everyone thought would not take place is already the subject of speculation.
Partly because it is the most practical, as SB Nation writer Tom Ziller boldly declared.
"Melo ought to be traded," Ziller wrote. "The time is right for such a move. Anthony is still productive and has three years left on a max deal that will look more affordable once the cap goes up this summer. The hitch in this plan is that Melo has a no-trade clause and is known to love New York City."
The no-trade clause seems regrettable for Phil Jackson and the Knicks front office, but it seemed like the right move at the time and they never imagined it would backfire.
Ziller also mentioned that Melo's timeline does not match with that of the Knicks. "This is the problem with keeping Melo: he's expecting more veteran help and the Knicks should not be investing in older players at this point."
Kristaps Porzingis is the future of the franchise and the Knicks would be better off building around him. Melo has aired his stern demand via ESPN.
"It's in their court. The ball is in their court," Anthony said. "They have an opportunity, we have an opportunity to do something this offseason. We gotta do something. It's there."
This is not the first time that Anthony made a power play-he flexed his leverage to get to New York, and now they can't do anything to force him out of it.
The article stated that the Knicks will have $ 18 million in cap space this summer. That means they only have space for one max player at the most. Is there any one player in this summer's free agency who could turn the Knicks into contenders? There is no one after Kevin Durant, and he's unlikely to choose the Knicks, to say the least.
The solution is to turn the equation around: "Let Melo be the answer for one lucky team." The Lakers were cited as one of those teams, and the glamor of LA could be the only alternative for New York City (if that is the reason Melo wants to stay).
"L.A. has Julius Randle," Ziller suggested, and its possible the Knicks would take one of the young point guards, D'Angelo Russell or Jordan Clarkson.
This is just speculation on the SB Nation analyst's part, but if it happens, the Knicks would have a young core for the future. If the Lakers do acquire Melo via trade, they still have enough cap space for another max player and supporting pieces.