Report: Melo would waive no-trade clause to join Celtics

Here comes yet another potential trade partner for Phil Jackson in his quest to dump ageing star Carmelo Anthony.

Anthony holds a full no-trade clause so he controls his future, but the 33-year-old apparently would make an exception to join the Boston Celtics, sources told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.

There's some question as to whether the interest is mutual. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge rejected advances from the Knicks, sources told Washburn, although head coach Brad Stevens would be open to coaching Anthony.

The Knicks have also approached the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers about Anthony. So far there is little traction on any potential deal as the Clippers and Cavs are reluctant to surrender their top players in any trade.

Jackson wants Anthony gone to spark a new era of Knicks basketball centered around Kristaps Porzingis, but Anthony has maintained that he would like to stay in New York. However, that stance has softened in recent weeks as Anthony concedes he may be open to leaving were Jackson to implement a full-scale rebuilding project.

Anthony is averaging 22.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists for a Knicks team that continues to spiral out of the playoff picture. He has two more years remaining on his contract for roughly $27 million, in addition to a 15 percent trade kicker that would be triggered should he be moved.