Carmelo Anthony has been the center of trade talks this summer as the New York Knicks have now departed ways with team president Phil Jackson and are looking to get younger and rebuild the team around Kristaps Porzingis. There were rumors earlier in the summer that Melo could end up with the Rockets and it would seem that there is a mutual interest.
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Kenny Smith on the #RocketsSummer broadcast, when asked about "reports" of Carmelo wanting Houston: "They aren't reports. He IS interested."
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) July 10, 2017
According to ESPN.com, Anthony is willing to waive his no-trade clause to join Chris Paul and James Harden in Houston. That report also says the Knicks do not see a scenario where newly signed guard Tim Hardaway Jr. is sharing the floor with Anthony this fall.
And current Rockets center Nene even posted an Instagram photo welcoming Anthony back despite no done deal so that could hint at future plans as well.
Nene doesn't give a flip -- he just posted this on Instagram, that he "can't wait to get back" to playing with Melo. https://t.co/BmakYzElpR pic.twitter.com/ntBYbYzjkY
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) July 10, 2017
The 10-time All-Star is due about $26 million next season and that is likely going to lead to a third team becoming involved in a trade to take on some extra salary. Should the trade happen it would reunite Melo with coach Mike D'Antoni —- they were together for a little less than three seasons —- and the roster would be considerably better this time around. Anthony averaged 22.4 points, 2.9 assists and 5.9 rebounds last season while shooting 43.3 percent from the floor and 35.9 percent from three-point land.
[h/t Sporting News]
