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The New York Knicks are languishing near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings and the trade deadline is near, which can mean only one thing: Carmelo Anthony trade rumor fever!
This one, from Frank Isola, would be a blockbuster ... an extremely unlikely blockbuster, but a blockbuster nonetheless:
The Daily News has learned that the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers have discussed a blockbuster trade centered around Kevin Love. There were very preliminary discussions about expanding the deal to include the Knicks and Anthony, who would have to waive his no-trade clause in order to facilitate a deal to the Cavs.
...
Those talks have not progressed. Plus Anthony reiterated on Friday that he has no plans to seek a trade.
Melo's no-trade clause can (and probably will) put a quick end to even the most basic of discussions. He would have a legitimate chance to play in the Finals -- at the very least -- while surrounded by his good friend LeBron James, as well as former teammates J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert. But would he actually consider uprooting his family and bringing them to Cleveland? Doesn't strike me as a Melo kind of town.
Looking at this logically, any trade which would send Kevin Love to Boston would need to involve a third team -- Boston has depth players and draft picks, and the Cavs aren't really in the market for either. The Knicks would probably get one or two picks from Boston's stash, hopefully Brooklyn's 2016 first-rounder.
Alas, this is all some pretty extreme speculation:
League source says nothing is "happening" in Celtics attempt to get Kevin Love via three-team mega deal.
— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) February 13, 2016
The trade deadline is next Thursday, so there's still plenty of time for negotiations. Let's face it, though -- this deal makes too much sense to ever go down.