LeBron James, Cavs Deny Reports Of Willingness To Trade Kevin Love For Carmelo Anthony

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers can’t shake the trade rumors with the NBA trade deadline only a few weeks away on Feb. 23. Carmelo Anthony, who seems to be on the verge of being traded by the New York Knicks, has been linked to the Cavaliers with Kevin Love potentially heading to the Big Apple in exchange.

A trade rumor recently surfaced with talk of LeBron James and the Cavaliers brass finally ready to part ways with Love to acquire Anthony. LeBron, along with Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue, wasn’t happy about the trade rumor and denied there being any truth to it, via Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY Sports:

Cleveland Cavaliers coach Ty Lue said Kevin Love won’t be traded. LeBron James called a New York Daily News report “trash” that said he’s pushing management to trade for New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony. Kevin Love called the report a lie.

Although the Cavaliers have denied the rumor that linked the team to Anthony and Cleveland’s willingness to part ways with Love, there’s no telling what could or will happen between now and the league’s deadline on Feb. 23.

Anthony’s fate remains to be seen. The veteran forward has seemingly outstayed his welcome in New York, and the Knicks would love to trade him, but whether they’ll find the right deal that he signs off only time will tell.

As for the Cavaliers, it is uncertain whether they’ll make another trade before Feb. 23. Cleveland still lacks the playmaker they’ve been looking for. The latest rumor other than talk of acquiring Anthony has the team linked to Jose Calderon of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Calderon, who rarely sees the floor for Los Angeles, would help shoulder the load in the backcourt. Whether the Lakers have interest in making the deal is anyone’s guess as Cleveland doesn’t have much to offer in return.