Report: Bucks, with Jabari Parker, came up as third team in Carmelo Anthony trade

Carmelo Anthony trade talks between the Rockets and Knicks are still going nowhere.

But with Anthony’s welcome worn out in New York, the teams keep searching for a third to facilitate a deal – like the Bucks, who have Jabari Parker.

Ian Begley of ESPN:

The Knicks have told people around the league recently that Houston simply doesn’t have anything that appeals to them.

The Milwaukee Bucks emerged as a potential third team at one point, per league sources, but there was no traction toward a deal.

One name that came up in those (very) preliminary talks? Bucks forward Jabari Parker, per league sources.

Maybe, after two ACL injuries, Parker’s value has fallen enough that he could be included in an Anthony trade. But Parker is just entering the fourth year of his rookie-scale contract, and he’s in line to become a restricted free agent next summer. Milwaukee can be patient with him.

Houston probably must trade Ryan Anderson to send out enough salary to get Anthony, and nobody wants Anderson. Some vague ideas of Parker might interest New York, but what gets the Bucks on board?

Anthony will likely begin the season with the Knicks, and it seems he’s preparing himself accordingly.