The New York Knicks and Houston Rockets are reportedly engaged in four-team trade discussions that would send All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony to Houston. That much is already known.
Though, a recent report from Stefan Bondy and Frank Isola of the NY Daily News suggests that a deal is close to being worked out.
“A deal that would end the Carmelo Anthony era in New York and reunite the All-Star forward with Mike D’Antoni in Houston “is at the two-yard line,” a person familiar with the trade negotiations told the Daily News,” the two reported.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Melo land with the Rockets, joining the likes of James Harden and Chris Paul in the process. But Houston doesn’t have the assets to offer New York in order to complete said deal. That’s the primary reason a third and fourth team are included in the conversations.
With Phil Jackson no longer in New York, the Knicks can play this situation closet to the vest. Anthony will likely be moved, but the team surely doesn’t have to rush it. Among the players Houston could offer up to acquire Anthony, Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson seem to be the sexiest options for other teams.
If Houston were to find a way to land Anthony, it would immediately leap the San Antonio Spurs as the top competition for the Golden State Warriors out west this upcoming season.