Phil Jackson is looking to find a team that not only will take on Carmelo Anthony — and the 15 percent trade kicker in his contract — but one he wants to go to bad enough to waive his no-trade clause.
The Cavaliers are out. The Celtics are out.
The Clippers are at least still talking to the Cavaliers, not about a deal with Blake Griffin or any of their other big three, but with others. Instead, now the two sides are trying to find a third team to make the deal work, according to Ramona Shelburne and Marc Stein of ESPN.The New York Knicks and LA Clippers are searching for third-team facilitators to keep alive the prospect of completing a Carmelo Anthony trade, according to league sources...
The most substantive talks between the teams took place last week, according to sources with knowledge of the discussions, but have continued into this week as the Clippers have maintained a consistent interest in Anthony, who has two years and roughly $53 million remaining on his contract....
Sources said that the Knicks are reluctant to absorb the three years and $42 million left on Jamal Crawford’s contract after this season, which has led to the hunt for a third team that might be interested in Crawford. The Clippers, meanwhile, are hesitant to surrender the sharpshooting Redick even if they were at full strength in the backcourt, sources said.
What does Doc Rivers say about all this? He dodges the question.
I asked Doc Rivers about a potential trade for Carmelo Anthony. Here's what he said: pic.twitter.com/I2mxBwJii2
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) January 27, 2017
The Clippers should not do a deal if it involves J.J. Redick. Anthony is the better all-around scorer and shot creator, but Redick is the better defender and the better fit with what the Clippers do. Chris Paul likes to work off pick-and-rolls, DeAndre Jordan rolls to the rim, Griffin is a good passer and playmaker — all of them benefit with Redick on the floor because of his spacing. Teams can’t help off of him. Plus he can run opposing defenders ragged off multiple screens. Anthony stops the ball on offense, and having him means fewer touches for CP3.
Anthony plugged in with what is really a core four in Los Angeles makes them better, but as a switch with Redick it’s questionable if the Clippers improve. Why give up other assets for a potential neutral or worse move?
And what third team wants Crawford and that contract? What sweeteners will said team require?
If I had to bet, Carmelo Anthony will end the season a Knick. Then the rumors will start up again this summer.