NBA Rumors: Knicks GM Steve Mills Turns Attention To Trading Carmelo Anthony

The New York Knicks are going through yet another transitional phase following the departure of Phil Jackson. The team is still rife with dysfunction with no telling when or if they’ll be able to right the ship anytime soon.

Although the team would love to get back on track immediately, the sole focus for general manager Steve Mills is trading superstar Carmelo Anthony, according to ESPN’s Ian Begley:

For now, Mills will turn his attention to trading Carmelo Anthony, finding a veteran point guard and figuring out how to make the organization’s relationship with Kristaps Porzingis work going forward.

Anthony has had the leverage all along with the Knicks. The veteran forward has a no-trade clause in his contract which has made it difficult for the team to move him, but it seems clear New York is intent on parting ways.

Carmelo can control his own fate at this point giving him the ability to move to a team that he wants to go to. Although Anthony has repeatedly said he doesn’t want to be traded and would prefer to stay in New York, the team clearly wants to move on and begin building around rising star Kristaps Porzingis.

The latest trade rumors swirling around New York have Anthony willing to waive his no-trade clause to end up with either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Houston Rockets. Both situations give him a shot to play for a title contender while potentially being the missing piece to the championship puzzle in Cleveland or Houston.

Only time will tell if the Knicks brass can get something done. It will be no easy task to move his contract, but stranger things have happened in the NBA this offseason.