NBA Trade Rumors: Why is Carmelo Anthony still a Knick?

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 12: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks heads for the net as Justin Anderson #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers defends in the third quarter at Madison Square Garden on April 12, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 12: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks heads for the net as Justin Anderson #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers defends in the third quarter at Madison Square Garden on April 12, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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NBA Trade Rumors: Carmelo Anthony has been in the rumor mill nearly all summer, yet he’s still a member of the New York Knicks

At least from my point of view, this really makes no sense. With or without Carmelo Anthony on the roster, the New York Knicks are not a title contending team. So why would you not elect to trade the aging star with a large-cap hit, even it is for at the worst one pick or starter?

I’m not a Melo hater by any means, but I do think it is time for the love and hate affair between Anthony and the Knicks to end. The Knicks have a solid little future brewing with Frank Ntilikina, Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez as their centerpieces. Dealing Melo would allow all three of those players to get more touches, especially Frank who will likely be starting in the backcourt.

Another thing to note is that Carmelo Anthony helps the Knicks win, something that isn’t in their best interest currently. With Marvin Bagley reclassifying and now being in this upcoming draft class, the 2018 draft crop just got deeper.

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What would be better than for NYK’s three young players to get more touches on top of having a better draft pick to possibly enter the Bagley/Doncic/Porter sweepstakes?

Imagine a future core of Frank, Kristaps, Hernangomez and someone like Luka Doncic, Hamidou Diallo or Kevin Knox? So many options they would pass up if they attempted to win this year. The Knicks were able to acquire a 7th overall pick WITH Anthony playing, so they would almost be a shoe in for a top 5 pick with him no longer around.

It just seems like a no brainer to trade him, and soon.

Hypothetically, let’s say he gets traded to Houston. The Knicks could get the rights to Isaiah Hartenstein, the Rockets 2019 first rounder and Ryan Anderson. Who says no? I know I wouldn’t, even if I was the Rockets.

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Sorry if this article felt a little more rant-isa than usual, but I fell like the Knicks’ decision-making that has Carmelo Anthony still in Blue and Orang is just absolutely stupid.