NBA Rumors: Carmelo Anthony Would Waive No-Trade Clause To Join Celtics

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA trade deadline is less than a month away on Feb. 23. The New York Knicks appear to be the team that will pull the trigger on the most substantial deal before that trade deadline with superstar Carmelo Anthony likely headed elsewhere.

The most likely destination for Anthony at this point appears to be the Los Angeles Clippers. Anthony has a no-trade clause and can control his fate heading toward the deadline, and so far, has only indicated the Boston Celtics would be a team he’d waive the clause to join, according to Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe:

A source indicated that Knicks president Phil Jackson has instructed management to move Anthony, who has a no-trade clause but included the Celtics as one of the teams for whom he’d waive the clause. Boston could become part of a potential three-team deal that would send Anthony to another club, perhaps the Clippers.

Unfortunately for Anthony, the Celtics have been reluctant to make a deal with the Knicks that would involve the team landing the veteran forward in exchange. Boston’s stance could easily change in the weeks to come if they feel Anthony could be the missing piece to the championship puzzle.

At this point, the Clippers acquiring Anthony without giving up one of their stars (Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan) seems to be the likely scenario. The only problem is a third team may need to be involved, and Boston might end be a candidate to be that third team.

With a few more weeks left before the NBA trade deadline, it’ll be interesting to see how these trade talks evolve and if Anthony does indeed end up being on the move before Feb. 23.