ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Knicks and Rockets are working on a 4 team trade to send Carmelo Anthony to the Rockets. Since the Chris Paul signing and the James Harden contract extension, the Rockets have made it clear they were going to acquire a third star. Melo was the likely candidate as his tenure with the Knicks has been mired in discontent with management.
Sources: Knicks, Rockets working on Carmelo Anthony trade scenarios that include four-team deals. Sides motivated but no agreement imminent.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 12, 2017
Now acquiring Melo and fitting a contract under the cap will take all of Daryl Morey’s skills to ensure owner Les Alexander is comfortable with the bill. A deal would likely mean the Rockets would have to part ways with Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson or Eric Gordon, possibly a combo of both. The Rockets would obviously prefer to move Anderson and his contract, keeping a proven sixth man like Gordon and wing defender in Ariza. Then there are the Knicks, who despite their lack of a GM still want to walk away with something in a trade. Some type of asset. Although that front office’s ability to identify assets is shaky at best.
Plus a move like this, as Woj tweeted, would have to involve other teams that have cap space so that salaries match. Chicago, Phoenix, Brooklyn and Dallas all have space remaining and could be likely trade partners. Stay tuned.