‘Melo Turned Away Interest From Celtics?

FRIDAY, 7:35am: The Celtics went to Anthony’s “advisers” to gauge his willingness to waive his no-trade clause rather than the Knicks, and no trade talks took place between Boston and New York, sources told Marc Berman of the New York Post. Indications are that the Creative Artists Agency, which represents Anthony, wants him to keep an open mind about his future, Berman writes.

4:35pm: Anthony denies that he turned down any such trade proposal, saying the Knicks never approached him about waiving his no-trade clause, according to Frank Isola and Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. One of the first-rounders the Nets owe the Celtics as well as an additional pick, David Lee‘s since bought-out contract and a second player would have gone to New York in the proposed deal, Isola and Bondy write.

THURSDAY, 7:58am: The Celtics expressed interest before the trade deadline in obtaining Carmelo Anthony from the Knicks, but they were told that Anthony didn’t want to waive his no-trade clause to play for Boston, sources tell Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com. It’s unclear how far talks between the Celtics and Knicks went, Begley notes. The teams were reportedly part of a preliminary three-way discussion with the Cavaliers that involved the idea of sending Anthony to Cleveland, but Begley’s report indicates that Boston and New York also had a chat on the side, however brief.

It’s no shock to see the Celtics having gone after a star, though the apparent interest in Anthony demonstrates how far president of basketball operations Danny Ainge would go to acquire a marquee name. Anthony turns 32 in May and is in the midst of a third straight season of declines in scoring average since leading the NBA in points per game with 28.7 in 2012/13. He’s under contract for a combined $78,731,280 over the three seasons following this one, including a player option for 2018/19, and the deal includes a 15% trade kicker. His no-trade clause would carry with him wherever he goes if he allows the Knicks to deal him away. Multiple disadvantages would come with trading for Anthony, to be sure, but the Celtics apparently remained of the belief that doing so could help their team.

Ainge said the Celtics came close to pulling off a significant trade before the deadline, had the other team not pulled out of the talks, but it appears that conversation was about Jahlil Okafor, not Anthony. The C’s were also linked to Dwight Howard, Al Horford and others.

Anthony has been steadfast in saying that he wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause and doesn’t want to leave New York to play anywhere else, though he’d reportedly give strong consideration to a trade that would send him to the Clippers. Several teams apparently think that if the Knicks don’t make significant progress in their rebuilding project by mid-July, Anthony would be willing to approve a trade.

Do you think Anthony will finish his contract on the Knicks, or will he eventually approve a trade? Leave a comment to share your thoughts.

View Comments (8)