Knicks Forward Carmelo Anthony Admits ‘Opportunity’ To Be Traded At Deadline

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

For the majority of the 2016-17 NBA season, superstar Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks was arguably the biggest name on the trade market. Rumors were swirling for months about Anthony possibly being dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers or Los Angeles Clippers, but nothing came to fruition by the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 23.

According to Anthony, there was an opportunity for him to waive his no-trade clause and play for another this season. Anthony said the following about the rumors that have linked him to the Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers over the last few years, via Marc Berman of the New York Post:

“I haven’t thought about it. There was an opportunity during the deadline. There was always talk the last couple of seasons being connected to Clippers or Lakers. Somehow always been connected. First it was the Lakers. Now it’s the Clippers situation. I try not to think about it — especially now when I’m still playing with the New York Knicks and got to prepare to play against these guys.”

Although the Knicks didn’t make a move to send Anthony elsewhere before the NBA trade deadline last month, the superstar’s future may still be with another franchise. New York could make some drastic changes in the offseason, and if Anthony is ready to make a move, a trade may be on the horizon with the Clippers being a realistic destination

Anthony is under contract for two more seasons with the Knicks. Next season Carmelo will make $26.2 million and an early termination option in 2018-19 campaign in which he is set to make $27.9 million.

It’ll be interesting to see how it goes down in New York this summer as Phil Jackson and company continue to try and right the ship for the Knicks with or without Anthony.