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A Guide To The Deadline: Buying Or Selling The Biggest NBA Trade Rumors

By Jon Shames

Feb 12, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) works against New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Sacramento Kings defeat the New York Knicks 106-101 in OT. Mandatory Credit: Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) works against New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Sacramento Kings defeat the New York Knicks 106-101 in OT. Mandatory Credit: Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 4, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) looks on during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) looks on during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Carmelo Anthony – New York Knicks

Carmelo Anthony is having one of his best seasons as a Knick, despite his advanced age of 31 years old.

Though his scoring output has been the lowest since his rookie year, Melo has committed to improving his all-around game in an attempt to earn a championship ring, a feat that he — unfortunately — may never realize.

Despite his commendable efforts on defense, his commitment to team basketball, and the unexpected emergence of rookie Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks are still really, really bad.

The team is nine games below .500, 12th in the East, and have dropped nine of their last 10. Melo had a chance to sign with Chicago two summers ago, but elected to stay with the Knicks. Now, a visibly frustrated Anthony has to sit through the Knicks’ slow rebuild, of which the latest move was firing former head coach Derek Fisher after just a season and a half at the helm.

Melo had the chance to sign with Chicago two summers ago, but elected to stay in New York. He was given a no-trade clause in his five-year extension, but has the power to waive it if he chooses to. Anthony, commendably, seems committed to the Knicks though, and despite the head coaching vacancy, he has no plans to ask for a trade, per ESPN:

"“This is something I didn’t see coming, [that] nobody saw coming,” Anthony said. “So you have to continue to put your trust into Phil. At this point, what could you do? Can’t shy away from that. Can’t go against it. So for me, it’s continue. I have to trust in it. I decided to stay here. I decided to make that decision to trust in the Knicks and trust in Phil. I have to continue doing that.”"

Anthony is playing the fourth-lowest minutes per game of his career, but is averaging a career-high 4.2 assists per game to go along with his 21.4 points and 7.9 rebounds, the latter number just 0.2 shy of an all-time best.

Always knocked for what was considered selfish play, Anthony has really turned over a new leaf this year. He has shown patience, but not complacency. He is still dedicated to bringing New York a championship, as unrealistic as that seems at the present time.

Unless something unexpected happens that prompts Anthony to waive his no-trade clause, we can fully expect to see him on the Knicks post-deadline.

Verdict: Sell

Next: Teague