Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki have company.
Though other players can veto trades based on external conditions – e.g., accepting a qualifying offer – only those four had no-trade clauses specifically negotiated into their contracts.
Carmelo Anthony will join them.
Frank Isola of the New York Daily News:
Carmelo Anthony has more power than you think. According to a league source, his new deal includes a no-trade clause, Daily News has learned
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) July 16, 2014
Remember this theory relayed by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports?
https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/486962629294837760
That idea is much more interesting now. If Melo ever wants a trade, he can essentially dictate his destination. It’s not quite as good as free agency, but it’s closer than ever. As the salary cap increases and contracts shorten, more teams will be positioned to trade for Melo if he requests.
The Knicks, by giving Melo this no-trade clause, lose a lot of leverage if he ever hits the trade block. Phil Jackson certainly hopes it never comes to that.
Beyond the no-trade clause, we’re learning a little more about Melo’s new contract.
Ian Begley of ESPN:
Sources say Carmelo Anthony's contract w/the #Knicks is $5 million less than the maximum of $129 million, not $6 million as was reported.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 15, 2014
Sources: Melo's $124 million pact includes "slight increase" in Year 2 & "larger increases" thereafter. No specific figures available yet.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 15, 2014
So Carmelo Anthony has an early termination option in the final year of his new contract, just as he did in his last #Knicks contract.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 16, 2014
Melo’s 2015-16 salary is the key missing figure. The Knicks stand to have significant cap room next summer, and every dollar less than the maximum salary Melo receives that year should help New York.