Of course they did, the only question is did David Griffin laugh so Steve Mills could hear him before hanging up the phone?
As discussed before, the Knicks trying to trade Carmelo Anthony for Kevin Love never made any sense from Cleveland’s perspective — why would they want to swap out 28-year-old and at his peak Love for the 33-year-old and declining, ball-stopping, worse defender in Anthony? LeBron James and Anthony are friends, but LeBron isn’t stupid — he wants to win another ring and Love gets him much closer than Anthony right now, and for the coming years.
But the Knicks tried, according to a report from Marc Stein and Chris Haynes of ESPN.The Knicks have tried -- unsuccessfully -- to engage the Cavaliers in Carmelo Anthony-for-Kevin Love trade talks in advance of the league’s Feb. 23 trade deadline, ESPN.com has learned.
League sources told ESPN.com on Wednesday that the Knicks have approached the Cavaliers to gauge their interest in swapping All-Star forwards but were told that Cleveland is not interested in such an exchange.
Why would they be?
Certainly, LeBron wants the Cavaliers to add another playmaker, and Anthony can create shots for himself and get a team buckets. However, right now Love is the better fit, plus Love is five years younger and a few million less expensive (remember, the Cavs already have the highest payroll in the NBA). Love is no great defender, but he’s far ahead of Anthony right now. Love has made the not-so-easy adjustment of playing next to LeBron and is having his best season — you think Anthony will blend in smoothly working off the ball and being expected to move it quickly rather than pound the rock and survey the defense?
I guess the Knicks had to try, just like they will call Doc Rivers and ask about Blake Griffin. But no team is going to trade an All-Star, borderline All-NBA player in their prime for Carmelo Anthony at 33.
