The New York Knicks might be looking to trade All-Star small forward Carmelo Anthony as the team continues to implode this season, a league source disclosed on Tuesday.

It might be the right time for the Knicks to push the panic button as inconsistency and injuries to their key players keep on haunting them this year. The Knicks have already dropped 15 out of their first 20 games and seem to have no immediate answer to their current woes.

With their season slowly slipping away, Knicks general manager has reportedly tried to arrange a trade with third-year guard Iman Shumpert as the center-piece of the deal. There were also reports of the Knicks' interest to trade Amar'e Stoudemire, but the All-Star forward's massive contract proved to be the hindrance for any future deals.

Carmelo Anthony Trade

Anthony is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, and the Knicks know very much that they could lose the high-scoring forward without compensation next season.

With several teams - including the Los Angeles Lakers - showing their interest to get Anthony's service, few NBA insiders believe it would be a smart move to trade the All-Star forward now or they would regret losing him without having compensation in return.

Of course, the Knicks stressed that they have no intention moving away their franchise player despite their recent struggle. However, the Knicks are reportedly willing to sell everyone on their roster on the trading floor, except Anthony.

"According to the New York Post's Marc Berman, no one on the roster, except for Anthony, is untouchable as December 15 approaches, the date where free agents and draft picks can be traded."

Meanwhile, Anthony said he's aware that changes could happen anytime from now in New York, though he insisted that his focus remains winning each ballgame.

"I'm not thinking about it right now,'' Anthony told ESPN. "If that was to happen we deal with it when it comes. We start thinking about that we'd be 5-25.''

Why Does Trading Melo Make Sense?

This is a simple question. The reason behind the idea of trading Anthony now is because the Knicks can't trust him to stay in Big Apple next summer. Yes, Anthony said all over again that he wants to end his career with the Knickerbocker. On the other hand, the former Syracuse Orange standout also wants to be remembered as a champion before his basketball days are over.

With the Knicks' current status, it's safe to assume Anthony is having second thoughts on re-signing with this struggling ballclub. The lure of vaulting out of New York will be greater when teams like the Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Chicago Bulls start fielding their offers.

Clearly, the Knicks have only one option right now. Trade Anthony or Bust.

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