Carmelo Anthony Trade: Knicks star would only approve move to Clippers or Cavaliers

Carmelo Anthony, the New York Knicks superstar, would waive his no-trade clause only if Phil Jackson & Co. find a way to ship him to either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Los Angeles Clippers, per a fresh report.

Anthony, a native of New York, has reiterated his desire to stay in the Big Apple for the rest of his career or at least until the end of his five-year, $US124 million ($AU165 million) contract which runs through the 2018-19 NBA season. However, there is growing pressure on the Knicks to move the aging Anthony and hand the keys of the franchise to budding superstar Kristaps Porzingis.

According to Fan Rag Sports, Anthony would be hesitant to waive his no-trade clause unless he gets the opportunity to play for a championship contender. "He’s (Anthony's) four months away from his 33rd birthday, his contract is humongous and contains a no-trade clause. It’s understood that he’d only accept being dealt to the Cavaliers or the Clippers," wrote Charley Rosen, who is reportedly the media member with closest ties to Knicks president Phil Jackson.

Anthony is reportedly close friends with Chris Paul and LeBron James, the leaders of the Clippers and Cavaliers respectively. Therefore, Rosen's report shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Neither team has the required cap space to absorb Anthony's $US24 million ($US32 million) salary and would have to move a bunch of players to pull off a potential trade.

Carmelo Anthony trade: Raptors and Lakers other options?

Rosen listed the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors as other options for the nine-time All-Star and one-time scoring champion. "Since his recurring complaint is that everybody blames him for every game the Knicks lose, perhaps Melo is sufficiently disgusted to accept a trade elsewhere. Perhaps to the young, rebuilding Lakers — after all, his wife’s name is La La.

"Or to Toronto, who could use frontcourt scoring to take the pressure off its backcourt aces. Could he play power forward for Indiana, OKC or Chicago? He could certainly fill a need for Atlanta should it trade Paul Millsap (he’s supposedly not on the market anymore, for now), as well as for Portland."

Prior to signing his massive five-year contract in 2014, Anthony had met with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers -- who were reportedly his second and third options as a free agent. At this stage, it seems highly unlikely that either of those teams would part with precious young assets for a player past his prime.

The Knicks (18-23) have lost eight of their last 10 games and are in serious danger of missing the postseason for a fourth consecutive year. Several analysts feel the Knicks would be better served getting rid of aging players such as Anthony, Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah and going all-out with their youth movement led by Porzingis.

Carmelo Anthony is averaging 22.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game this season.