8:42 PM: Both David Aldridge of NBA.com (Twitter link) and Sam Amico of Fox Sports (Twitter link) hear that the report of James pushing the Cavs to make the deal regardless of whether it includes Love is “not true.”
8:19 PM: LeBron James is pushing the Cavaliers front office to trade for Carmelo Anthony even if it means giving up Kevin Love in the deal, Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports. The Knicks have targeted Love in an Anthony deal, but Cleveland is against trading the 28-year-old power forward.
It’s unclear whether James as enough influence to force the franchise to make the deal. He’s under contract for two more seasons after this one, though his contract contains a player option for the 2018/19 campaign, which means he could become a free agent in the summer of 2018.
James has been critical of the front office this season. He recently lobbied for the Cavs to add a playmaker and it was reported that he and the team were at odds over the team’s payroll. Last week, Cleveland held auditions for several players, including Mario Chalmers, but no signings were made.
Isola notes that last season, Anthony and James discussed teaming up on the Cavs, but at the time, Anthony said he wasn’t ready to leave New York. The Knicks are likely to miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season and the team’s lack of success could persuade Anthony to waive his no-trade clause to go to a legitimate contender. In addition to the Cavs, the Knicks have also reached out to the Celtics and Clippers regarding an Anthony deal.
He lies like a rug & is twice as dirty
GET MELO OUT OF N.Y.
-KNICKS FAN
Three team deal with love to Boston!! This could be the cheapest way for Boston to acquire a star since they would essentially only be giving assets to acquire Melo.
I wouldn’t go as far as saying Love would be a “star”, but he’d be a huge get for solving the rebounding woes. I’m not even a huge fan of Love, but if Ainge can find a way to do it, go for it.
Yeah, probably not a star, but the closest thing available.
It’s not like the Knicks are going to ask for a lesser haul just to help the Celtics out. Whether it’s Melo or Love, if the Celtics are acquiring one (Melo straight up or Love through a three-way deal) the Knicks are going to ask for a lot. You’re talking at least one of the Nets picks plus Crowder and probably Smart (might also have to throw in another young player). Plus, there’s almost no incentive for the Cavs to send Love to Boston when they would be making a main competitor better. Cavs were unwilling to do a Love-Melo straight swap, I don’t see how including Boston makes the deal any more attractive unless Boston sends a key rotation player (outside of IT and Horford, and likely Bradley) to Cleveland as well.
My point was if Lebron is pushing for Melo even if it includes love, Boston could sweeten it by adding Crowder/Smart/Rozier. Probably an extra first if the player is Rozier. But if the Knicks seriously considered Rivers, Crawford, and a Clippers first, a Nets pick Crowder and smart is waaaaaay too much. Smart, 2018 nets pick, future first to Knicks, Rozier and Melo to CLE. Love to Boston.
Not so sure I believe this
LeBron got everything he wanted thus far. This would be a great time for Griff to tell him that getting rid of Love is not happening.
has enough influence? he runs the team
OMG! Love no longer part of Bron’s “posse” (inner circle).
No love for Love :-(
Frank Isola is the worst, how does this guy still have a job
Don’t think Cleveland will give up Love’s rebounding in a deal like this.
Yeah go ahead Cleveland. Get worse.
From,
Celtics Nation
Be careful what you wish for…Its obvious, LeBron doesn’t want to work as hard and save his energy for the playoffs. This trade could have him working harder.
He’d like to play with Melo – Yes. He probably knows that Love > Melo at this point though. The problem with the Cavs is that their team has 4 non-factor players on the roster. Anderson, Jones, Liggins, and McRae. The only players I can see them being able to trade 3 (jones aint going anywhere) is for Casspi, Seth Curry, or Shabazz. Am I wrong? Maybe they can sell one of those guys as an asset to the Kings/Mavs/Wolves.
I think McRae and Liggins hold a small amount of value.
Frank Isola is a terrible reporter so there’s probably no truth behind this. Also, the New York Daily News is starting to become a terrible sports news reporter.