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Latest Updates can be found at the bottom of the post.
Carmelo Anthony trade rumors remain red hot today as the New York Knicks approach training camp and a potentially awkward reunion with their disgruntled forward. Topping the day’s news: the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder have entered the trade talk circus. The Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers continue to be mentioned as well.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN updates from Anthony’s end:
Carmelo Anthony is continuing to express to New York an urgency to be traded before the start of camp next week, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 23, 2017
TNT analyst David Aldridge, publishing on NBA.com, gives an expanded look at the Knicks side:
The Knicks are believed to want a package back for Anthony that includes younger players on shorter deals and/or future Draft picks.
Aldridge reports that Oklahoma City center Enes Kanter would be at the center of any deal with the Thunder.
Enes Kanter, the 25-year-old center who has established himself as one of the better scoring big men in the league, something New York would need in return if Anthony were traded. Kanter averaged 14.3 points in just more than 21 minutes per game in OKC last season.
Equally important, Kanter is on a short deal, which pays him $17.8 million this season, with a player option for 2018-19 at $18.6 million. New York is not interested in a deal in which it takes back significant money in the 2019-20 season. That season, the Knicks could have significant salary cap room, depending on what happens with Anthony.
Aldridge claims that the Knicks have no interest in Rockets forward Ryan Anderson or Cleveland forward Kevin Love. Though it’s not clear whether he’s referencing history or current talks, Aldridge adds this about the Blazers:
Portland has also tried to engage New York about Anthony, with its guard tandem of All-Star Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum openly recruiting him. But the Knicks have not been interested in the Blazers’ offers, which have included young vets like Maurice Harkless and Evan Turner. Portland has not included its up and coming center Jusuf Nurkic in any offers to the Knicks.
The Carmelo situation remains fluid. You can trace yesterday’s evolving developments in this article. We’ll keep you updated as reports develop.
Update:
Adrian Wojnarowski reports that talks between the Knicks and Thunder are reaching the critical stage.
New York is nearing deal to send Carmelo Anthony to Oklahoma City, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 23, 2017
OKC would send Enes Kanter and Doug McDermott to New York, League sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 23, 2017
Update:
Deal is completed.
New York has agreed to a deal to send Carmelo Anthony to OKC for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and a draft pick, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 23, 2017
The Thunder will incur an additional $12.4M in luxury tax. OKC now will have a tax bill of $27.8M.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) September 23, 2017