NBA News: Knicks, Clippers expected to discuss Carmelo Anthony to Los Angeles trade
After the Los Angeles Clippers’ first round exit in the 2017 NBA Playoffs, the team is expected to attempt an overhaul of their line-up and trade for New York Knicks’ star Carmelo Anthony this offseason.
According to the New York Post, the Clippers and Knicks are expected to open trade discussions again involving “Melo.” Los Angeles can realistically offer other veterans like Jamal Crawford and Austin Rivers. Since J.J. Redick is a free agent this summer, the Clippers could also try to execute a sign-and-trade. Because of Anthony’s huge salary, any Knicks-Clippers trade is expected to involve multiple players from the Hollywood team’s side.
Previous trade speculation right around the deadline in February involved the names of Crawford and Rivers but no trade was finalized then. New reports state that Redick could now be a part of the Los Angeles-New York deal although they need the shooting guard to agree to a sign-and-trade to N.Y. if the Clippers want to get a deal done getting Anthony from the Knicks.
"It was a tough series for him," Clippers head coach Doc Rivers stated when asked about Redick’s performance versus the Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoffs.
The 32-year-old Redick struggled against the Jazz averaging 9.1 points per game on 38 per cent field goal shooting and 34.6 per cent from the three-point area. In the 2016-2017 regular season, he averaged 15.0 points per game and over 40 per cent from the field overall.
If Redick is going to the Knicks, he could be a good fit in Phil Jackson’s plans for the triangle offense in New York. The veteran is an excellent and consistent shooter and could be effective alongside Kristaps Porzingis on offence.
The Knicks have been trying to unload Anthony since last year as the team continued to struggle and one of the worst teams in the league in the regular season. However, Anthony has still not waived his “no trade clause” and the Knicks need permission from the star forward for any trade in the future.
Anthony is reportedly willing to waive the no trade clause if he goes to his preferred teams, which includes the Clippers and other squads like the Boston Celtics or the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Anthony remains one of the better scorers in the league but it’s clear that New York has no plans of retaining him for the long-term. The Knicks already have a new franchise player in Porzingis and trading Anthony will be better for the franchise’s future.
