The New York Knicks are tipped to make big moves before the annual NBA trade deadline, but reports suggested that trading Carmelo Anthony is not on their plans in the coming days.
Marc Stein of Yahoo Sports indicated on Monday that there is "no chance" the Knicks will move Anthony before the deadline despite facing risk of losing him for nothing in the offseason.
Anthony, who is averaging 27.1 points to go along with 8.6 rebounds per game this season, can bolt out of New York and sign elsewhere this summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
"There is "no chance" the Knicks will deal Carmelo Anthony, who owns a contract opt-out this summer, before the trade deadline, a source said," Stein reported.
The 29-year-old superstar made it no secret that the chance to win his first NBA title will be his main deciding factor in the offseason.
While the Knicks can offer $30 million more than what other teams can offer, the Knicks do not look like a team that is ready to seriously contend for a title in the next several seasons unless they make drastic moves before the deadline or before Anthony hits free agency.
The Knicks are currently tenth in the Eastern Conference with their 20-31 record, and Anthony admitted that he is very frustrated with their performance this year after showing so much promise during their 50-plus-win season last year.
"I am a little disappointed just from as far as where we stand at in the standings, where we are as a team," Anthony said. "Our record, that is the most important thing. I am always going to be in an extra gear, having new gears. I got to get that same mindset to my teammates and make sure that they know how important closing the season is."
The Knicks are expected to make moves before the deadline, and trading for Rajon Rondo is one of their top priorities. However, the Celtics look firm on their stance of keeping the star point guard in Boston beyond the deadline.
One of the deals the Knicks are currently looking at is a trade involving Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried.
Stein also revealed that the Knicks are high on the do-it-all power forward. Sources said that the Knicks are planning to offer a package involving Iman Shumpert in a potential trade for Faried.
"Hearing that Knicks are trying again to re-engage Denver and sell Nuggets on idea of trade built around Iman Shumpert-for-Kenneth Faried before deadline," Stein noted.
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