All it takes a spark. The statement that the New York Knicks are "getting closer" to trading Carmelo Anthony blew up the basketball scene.
The statement was made by Zach Lowe of Grantland. The article was about trading for Markieff Morris, and stated: "The Kings and Knicks should take a look, even though neither has movable assets that would interest Phoenix - unless the Knicks are ready to engage in Carmelo Anthony trade talks. (They're not there, yet. But they're getting closer.)"
Here's a plot twist, as presented by A Royal Pain. What if, instead of the two aforementioned teams attempting to trade for Keef, they just decided to trade with each other?
Being a Sacramento Kings blog, they took the point of view of their home team. If Carmelo was really on the table, what could they give up to form a blockbuster marquee duo of (arguably) the best center and the best scorer?
The short answer would be DeMarcus Cousins. Phil Jackson would pull the trigger in a heartbeat. But the challenge is to form a Cousins-Carmelo pair that could take them into the playoffs (since both players can't seem to do that on their own).
One problem is that the Kings, unlike Boston, Phoenix or even Chicago (who owns the Kings protected 2016 first round pick) are bereft of draft picks to sweeten any deal. That is also something the Knicks would want.
Thus, the proposal would consist of Rudy Gay and any of the Kings trade chips. "Other young talents like Ben McLemore, Willie Cauley-Stein, Seth Curry and Quincy Acy could also find themselves in New York should this trade I'm proposing ever become more than just another of my crazy ideas."
This would be a long shot, and there is also Carmelo's "no trade" clause. He has to agree to the trade for it to happen.
It's a long shot and the Kings' only selling point is DeMarcus Cousins. Even if Sacramento wanted to do it, a trade seems unlikely.