Melo on trade talk: 'I haven't figured out a situation that makes sense'
Carmelo Anthony sounds like he is conceding that he's on the market, but a deal that would make him consider waiving his no-trade clause hasn't come along yet.
"I haven't figured out a situation that makes sense for both parties," Anthony told The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears. "I am not the kind of guy who just goes out there and says, 'Get me outta here … get me outta here,' without having a plan. It's bigger than that."
By saying he hasn't "figured out a situation," the 11-time All-Star appears to be admitting that the right opportunity could clear the way for an exit from the New York Knicks. Anthony has been adamant in his desire to stay with the team he's played for since 2011, creating a standoff with team president Phil Jackson in the process.
While Jackson has clearly been employing various tactics in an effort to convince Anthony to forgo his no-trade clause, the fact remains that the player holds all the power in this situation. Anthony could choose to dig in as long as he wants to, but if he did agree to a deal, he can effectively make the decision of where he's traded to.
Anthony would be open to waiving the no-trade clause for a "great opportunity," a source told Spears.
While conventional wisdom frequently connects Anthony with the Cleveland Cavaliers or Los Angeles Clippers based mainly on his close friendships with LeBron James and Chris Paul, those teams appear unlikely to be in a position to make such a major move. Another report last month suggested Anthony would waive the clause for the Boston Celtics.
Anthony remains a New York guy at heart. Born in Brooklyn but raised in Baltimore, he delivered Syracuse - a program that brands itself as "New York's College Team" - its first and only NCAA basketball title in 2003, eight years before orchestrating his trade to the Knicks from the Denver Nuggets. His wife, media personality La La Anthony, is also a New Yorker, and he's appeared steadfast in his desire to stay put, even if it means playing on a bad basketball team.
That view might be evolving, however.
"I haven't heard anything," Anthony said Sunday. "I haven't talked to anybody."