With change coming to the New York Knicks, trade speculation is running wild with the deadline just days away. The Knicks are not in contention of making the playoffs this season and blowing up the roster now instead of later could become part of Phil Jackson's long-term plan. With Carmelo Anthony as the team's best asset, the franchise star is making it clear that he is not going anywhere.
In the midst of All-Star weekend, Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reported that the Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics are in talks of a mega-deal that would center around Anthony and Kevin Love. In the report, the Celtics would get Love while the Cavaliers get Anthony. In return the Knicks would get draft picks and role players to help rebuild. That would certainly classify as a mega-deal, but Anthony is making it clear it is not true because of that no-trade clause he holds in his current contract.
"There's always some trade s--- going [on]," Anthony said, via Sirius XM NBA Radio. "I'm not going anywhere. When you're in New York, you're always up for grabs, I'll tell you that. Trades are always up for grabs. It's always, 'Who's next?' There's nothing guaranteed when you're in New York. But I don't pay attention to those rumors."
This is not the first time Anthony has faced trade rumors and it certainly will not be the last time he faces them. The franchise star is in the prime of his career and could look to get dealt to a contending team. The Knicks are nowhere near being that team for the next few years. However, Anthony is making it clear that he holds faith in Jackson and rookies like Kristaps Porzingis to put the franchise onto a better path in the near future.
The Knicks will look to make a trade at the deadline or at least a roster addition. According to ESPN's Ian Begley, the likely addition will be to call up Jimmer Fredette who has been thriving in the D-League. The Knicks need backcourt help and he is the easiest player to bring up and let contribute right away. Fredette is hopeful that Jackson is seeing everything he is doing in the D-League and calls him soon. The guard is averaging 22.6 points and 4.8 assists right now.
"You're always hopeful," Fredette said, via ESPN.com. "Everybody in this league, that's what their dream is. They want to get back or into the NBA, or further their career. That's what this league is for, and I'm no different."
Jackson admitted that the Knicks are not in a good place to make trades and while the team might want to acquire someone like Brandon Jennings, Jeff Teague or even Al Horford, they lack the resources to get the deal done. The team is willing to deal players like Jose Calderon and Langston Galloway if there is a market for them. Bringing up Fredette would cost little while potentially having a high reward.
