New York Knicks still push Cleveland Cavaliers to negotiate a trade for Kevin Love with Carmelo Anthony. However Cavaliers are not interested with the deal to send Love away. The Knicks management also approach Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics to trade Anthony.
The Knicks have determined to send Anthony away and approaching the teams which would be appealing enough for him, according to ESPN. Anthony has a no-trade clause in his contract with the Knicks which allow him to veto trade deal. For that reason, Knicks front office tries to find the team which suits him.
Anthony still has two seasons left in his contract with Knicks. He remains firm in his stance to stay in New York and he is not ready to waive his no-trade clause and determine his destination after his contract with the Knicks end.
"I haven't told anybody anything. I haven't had that conversation with anybody," he said on Tuesday Jan. 31 to the media.
In order to attract his approval, the first option for New York Knicks is to trade Anthony with Love to let him play alongside his close friend LeBron James. However, Cavaliers have no interest in a deal which send their power forward away. Statistically speaking, Love is better in defense than Anthony, while both players are equally good in the offensive end.
This season, Anthony averages 22.9 points while Love has 19.9 per game. In the rebounding business, Love grabbed more with 11.1 rebounds per game than Anthony’s 7.7.
For Cavaliers, Anthony has a less quality than Love who was their key players in winning the 2016 NBA Championship. Moreover, this 2016-17 is his best season with the Cavs according to CBS Sports. Therefore, the other options left is to negotiate with either LA Clippers or Boston Celtics.
Nevertheless, Anthony is not a good player to play either defense or high-pace offense. Therefore, it may be possible Knicks will not find the trading partner until the trade deadline this February.
Watch the discussion in the ESPN’s SportsCenter, regarding Cavaliers’ rejection on Kevin Love trade offer from the Knicks below: