New York Knicks could push for Carmelo Anthony trade

The New York Knicks are already preparing for life without Carmelo Anthony and could force the superstar to waive his no-trade clause, per several reports.

In recent weeks, Anthony has played second-fiddle to rising superstar Kristaps Porzingis, who has carried the team to six victories in the last eight games besides keeping New York in the playoff picture. The Knicks haven't made the postseason in three seasons and their recent success can be attributed to Porzingis' impact on both ends of the floor.

On Thursday, ESPN First Take did a segment discussing Anthony's future in the Big Apple with NBA insider Stephen A Smith suggesting that the 9-time All-Star could be playing for a different team in the near future. Anthony, averaging 22.0 points and 6.1 rebounds this season, has two seasons left on the five-year, $US 124 million ($AU166 million) contract extension he signed with New York during the summer of 2014. Several reports suggest that Anthony, 32, will pick up his Player Option for the 2018-19 season.

Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks not on great terms?

Anthony and the Knicks front office have been at loggerheads in recent weeks with president Phil Jackson calling out his franchise player for "holding the ball too much" before the player responded with cryptic tweets. Also, there have been reports coming of N.Y. that the Knicks wish to rest Anthony for back-to-back games and want to give additional responsibility to Porzingis, who is viewed as the team's new franchise player.

The Knicks will enter Thursday's game against the Golden State Warriors without Anthony and Derrick Rose, the two veterans in the locker room who could likely be out of the team by next year. While Rose is a free agent, Anthony could waive his no-trade clause and asked to be shipped to a championship contender.

Entering the 2017 offseason, the New York Knicks could benefit from getting rid of Anthony's contract since a number of free agents could consider the Big Apple as a destination, per ESPN. However, the Knicks can't trade Anthony until the forward waives his no-trade clause and agrees to a trade destination of his choice.

Stay tuned for the latest trade rumours surrounding Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks.