The NBA trade deadline is approaching and the rumors are running rampant. There have been plenty of reports of big names being on the block but this latest rumor is definitely the biggest one. The Cleveland Cavaliers, the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks have discussed a blockbuster deal that would center around Kevin Love and Carmelo Anthony, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
In this hypothetical trade the Cavaliers would acquire Anthony, the Celtics would get Love while the Knicks would get Timofey Mozgov and a collection of draft picks. Wow. These talks reportedly haven't progressed but it still remains a possibility that they can intensify before the Feb. 18th trade deadline.
Cleveland has been in the market for a shooter recently and they have also reportedly been considering whether Love will be a fit with the team moving forward. This reportedly talked about deal would solve all of those problems as they would move on from Love while acquiring a bonafide superstar who is also an accomplished outside shooter. The Cavaliers would also be giving up Mozgov in this deal but he has lost his starting spot and his role with the Cavs isn't all that big.
From the Celtics perspective they have been looking for that star player that would bring them over the top and Love has been at the top of their list. It seemed as though Love wouldn't be available but recently it has seemed more and more like a possibility. The Celtics would likely have to trade some draft picks in this scenario but they have more than enough assets to be able to do so and Danny Ainge would likely jump on this opportunity.
While this deal seems like a slam dunk for both the Celtics and the Cavaliers the same cannot be said for the Knicks. First of all Carmelo Anthony would have to waive his no-trade clause for this to happen which is no guarantee, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. Let's just say for arguments sake that Anthony does waive his no-trade clause the Knicks would have to be willing to part with their best player and main attraction. There are many who believe it is time for the Knicks to trade Anthony but dealing him would signal that the Knicks are going into full rebuild mode and will build around 20-year-old Kristaps Porzingis.
Anthony has recently expressed his desire to play alongside another star so maybe waiving his no-trade clause isn't so farfetched. This trade would make LeBron James and Kyrie Irving Anthony's teammates and there is no doubt that them two are stars. The question will be whether the Knicks want to move on from Melo which is questionable at best. They do have concerns about the long-term health of his knee but he is still their guy. Overall this is a huge blockbuster deal and a lot needs to go right for it to be agreed upon within the next week by all three teams but crazier things have happened.
