The Knicks and Rockets have re-engaged in Carmelo Anthony trade talks

I jinxed it, guys.

Earlier, when there was the story about DeMarcus Cousins trying to recruit Carmelo Anthony to play for the Pelicans, I said it had been about a week since we last heard any Melo trade news. Well, now the flood gates are opening again, and I have only myself to blame. Bury me up to my head and pelt me with game-used Melo headbands if you must.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN is reporting that the Knicks and Rockets have re-engaged in talks to send Melo to the Lone Star State:

Anthony remains steadfast that he only plans to waive his no-trade clause for the Rockets and refuses to expand his list to include more possible destinations, league sources said.

Nevertheless, no pathway has emerged for a deal directly between the two teams, and finding a broader package to include forward Ryan Anderson and the three years and $60 million left on his contract remains problematic, league sources said.

So, sounds basically like the company line to this point. The Knicks say, “sure, we’ll trade you guys Melo.” The Rockets say, “OK, but Ryan Anderson’s got to go somewhere.” And then the Knicks say, “Tough shit! We’re not taking him.”

However, there is actually quite a bit of new-ish information in the article. Since quoting all the other info would basically mean cut-and-pasting the entire thing here, how about some cliff notes:

• The Knicks and Rockets were apparently very close to a deal before Phil Jackson was fired. I shudder to think what the Knicks would have gotten had a Phil-led deal gone through. Probably a bag of Mike D’Antoni’s mustache clippings and a sign-and-trade for Steve Francis on a supermax contract.
• Since Scott Perry has been in charge, he has “been far more particular about the package he'd want in return for Anthony.” Bra-fucking-vo, Mr. Perry. So nice to see the Knicks not crumble like a dried up sand castle when the pressure gets turned up.
• Both sides have acknowledged that a deal might not be able to get done by the start of the regular season, and both sides seem OK with that.
• Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are still trying their damnedest to get Melo to accept a trade to the Blazers, but such an arrangement is unlikely.
• Likewise, Melo has whittled his list from the Rockets and the Cavs to just the Rockets due to LeBron James and Kyrie Irving’s uncertain futures with the team.
• No huge surprise here, but Perry’s efforts to talk Melo into either staying with the Knicks or expanding his destination list have come up short.

That’s pretty much all you gotta know about this Melo biz for now. More as it comes!