Carmelo Anthony Trade: Knicks still pushing for Kevin Love swap with Cavaliers

The New York Knicks are still trying to persuade the Cleveland Cavaliers to swap All-Star forward Kevin Love for Carmelo Anthony ahead of the Feb. 23 trade deadline, per fresh reports.

As reported earlier, the Cavs had earlier rebuffed the potential trade due to concerns about Anthony's contract which has US$54 million (AU$71 million) left on it with a Player Option ahead of the 2018-19 season. Many insiders believe that LeBron James, a close friend of Anthony, would welcome the trade but the Cavaliers front office is hesitant to pull the trigger if it involves Love as part of the trade package.

Also, Love is signed through the 2019-20 season and doesn't have a Player Option in the last year of his five-year, US$113 million (AU$148 million) contract, which gives the Knicks more incentive to trade for the stretch-4 power forward. Analysts believe that a frontcourt pairing of Porzingis and Love could set up New York for years to come.

According to ESPN, the Cavs maintain interest in Anthony but aren't ready to surrender Love. "Sources said the Cavaliers, meanwhile, do maintain an interest in Anthony -- which would pair him with Cleveland star and close friend LeBron James -- but only if a deal can be struck without the league's reigning champions surrendering Love."

Carmelo Anthony Trade: Cavaliers, Clippers and Celtics emerge as three destinations

The report added that the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Boston Celtics have emerged as three possible destinations for Anthony. Since Anthony has a no-trade clause on his contract, the 9-time All-Star controls his future and the Knicks would require his consent before a deal can be worked out.

Last month, Charley Rosen, a close ally of Knicks president Phil Jackson, wrote in his blog that Anthony would approve a trade to only the Cavaliers or the Clippers due to his ties with LeBron James and Chris Paul. However, the Celtics have emerged as a third team that Anthony would waive his no-trade clause for, per reports.

During their recent discussions with the Cavaliers and Clippers, the Knicks have been trying to involve three or four teams to construct the ideal deal since New York, per reports, are not keen to absorb multi-year contracts that would further their payroll despite Anthony's impending departure. That's precisely why earlier discussions with the Clippers fell flat after Doc Rivers offered New York the three-year contract of aging guard Jamal Crawford. The Knicks are looking for draft picks and or young players with cap-friendly contracts.

On Tuesday, Anthony spoke candidly about the developing situation, stating that he would need to engage in conversations with his young family before approving his next destination. "That's more what I care about -- my family. My son being comfortable at an age now (9) where he's really getting an opportunity to understand being in New York and having a home there and having friends there. My wife working there and having her opportunities there... I think about that more so than my decision for my career," he said.

"At the end of the day, it will come down to my decision. But I think more about my decision and what they're going to have to go through if anything would happen," added Anthony, who is averaging 23.1 points, 3.0 assists and 6.1 rebounds in his 14th NBA season. Stay tuned for the latest on the Carmelo Anthony trade situation.