NBA AM: Carmelo Anthony Willing To Waive Trade Clause

Sources indicate Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony is willing to waive his no trade clause

As Basketball Insiders’ Publisher Steve Kyler pointed out in this space earlier this week, the New York Knicks’ franchise is in a state of chaos. There are plenty of reports of locker room disputes and multiple players have openly questioned the team’s insistence on using the triangle offense. Even the Knicks’ front office has joined in the party by suggesting the current players are just being resistant to changing a losing culture.

Hoops in the Big Apple is an absolute mess right now as the club has lost 10 straight contests. At 4-20, the Knicks are just a half game ahead of the 2-19 Philadelphia 76ers. But here’s the difference. New York’s payroll for this season is $87 million. On the other hand, the admittedly rebuilding Sixers are only on the hook for a little over $34 million.

There are three ways to improve in the NBA: free agency, the draft and trades. With free agency and the draft months away, the Knicks can only pursue potential trades to right the ship. However, the franchise just doesn’t have many pieces that can yield strong assets in return.

Except one.

All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony re-signed with the team this past summer to a five-year $124 million contract. Anthony’s deal is one of the few contracts in the league that has a no-trade clause built into it.

But according to Marc Berman of the New York Post, citing sources, Anthony would consider waiving his no trade clause

Five months after swearing his allegiance to New York and signing a five-year, $124 million contract, sources told The Post the All-Star forward would be open to dropping his no-trade clause if team president Phil Jackson strikes a deal with a team Anthony would like to play for.

Anthony is averaging a steady stat line producing 22.9 points and 6.6 rebounds on the season but has also been battling knee soreness.

“He thought things would be better than this, but he still wants to stick it out for now, ’’ the source said. “He trusts Phil, but I think he’s afraid of Phil.’’

If Anthony were to be traded once the trade window opens on December 15, the veteran would reap the benefit of a 15 percent trade kicker – a lump sum of $17.5 million according to the report.

Although the Knicks are struggling a bit of this may be knee jerk. The Knicks weren’t expected to compete for a title this season at even the most optimistic of predictions. Plus the team will enter next summer with only $32 million in salary on the books and plenty of room to operate in free agency (or trade) to bring in the reinforcements.

Ray Allen’s plans are still unclear, but teams are still interested

The marquee moves of this past summer are now in the rearview mirror and through the quarter mark of the season a pecking order around the league is beginning to take shape. Teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves unexpectedly in the middle of a playoff chase. Others such as the Charlotte Hornets, who made the playoffs last season, appear to be headed toward the draft lottery. While other franchises appear to be part of the select few who may challenge for the Larry O’Brien trophy next June.

With the start of trade season expected to begin next week teams will be looking for that missing piece to insert into their respective rotation. But the trade market might not have the biggest difference maker available.

Future Hall of Fame guard Ray Allen still hasn’t publicly closed the door on his professional career and there continues to be rumblings that the sharpshooter may sign a midseason deal. If that’s the case, the Golden State Warriors are one of the teams at the front of the line for the league veteran.

“We threw our team out there at his representation, and I think they’re vetting what they want to do,” Warriors general manager Bob Myers said to Jimmy Durkin of the San Jose Mercury-News. “Obviously you’ve got to look at a guy like that. He’s a smart enough guy. He’s going to look around the league to see what’s best for him.”

Allen, who played the last two seasons with the Miami HEAT, making two NBA Finals appearances with the franchise, could offer Golden State more veteran leadership as the team looks to get over the postseason hump. Allen averaged 9.6 points per game last season, which was the lowest of his 18 year professional career. However, in the right situation, Allen can still be a very productive player.

“He’s an elite shooter, he’s elite professional, and he’s been there,” Myers said. “He checks a lot of boxes for a player that you want.

“[But] we don’t have enough minutes as it is, so it’s a question of chemistry, too.”

The Warriors (19-2) currently sit in first place in the Western Conference and are on a 14 game winning streak. While Allen would be a solid addition, the Warriors boast solid depth at the guard position and on the wings. The team could opt to bolster their frontcourt if the right opportunity presents itself.