As the Knicks have stumbled in recent weeks, the problem of their roster has become more and more apparent. Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Carmelo Anthony are on very different career arcs than Kristaps Porzingis, the guy who is the future of the franchise.
That has led to Carmelo Anthony speculation — could the Knicks trade Anthony?
Not without his permission, he has a no-trade clause. And Anthony is not going to waive that clause, even to join a contender, his good friend Dwyane Wade told reporters in New York, via the New York Daily News.
I’m not convinced that Anthony is so rooted in New York that he will not waive the clause, but it would take a very specific situation. Almost a perfect storm of a situation. The trade would have to be to a contender, one in a major market. One where he respects the teammates enough that he will want to play there. Already that’s a very short list of teams. Maybe just one right now (Clippers). And said team has to want him and be willing to give up quality assets to get him. Then, even if all of that falls into place, the Knicks and their ownership has to sign off on moving their biggest name.
All of which is to say, Anthony playing out his contract in New York is the far more likely outcome. But never say never.