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NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Potential Carmelo Anthony Trades

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 21, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) gestures after a three point basket during the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) gestures after a three point basket during the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Trade Rumors
Dec 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Andrew Wiggins (22) controls the ball against New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves have reportedly been shopping point guard Ricky Rubio, and if the Knicks are smart, they’ll stay far away from the hefty price tag Derrick Rose will be seeking in free agency. This trade brings in a starting point guard to replace Rose, a developing bench scorer and either a quality backup big or a future first round pick.

Rubio is a highly underrated floor general, and though his shooting woes are well-documented by now, that hasn’t stopped him from being a solid facilitator and excellent perimeter defender.

Shabazz Muhammad is seen as something of a head case, but he’s proven himself this season as a up-and-coming sixth man presence, averaging 8.4 points per game on .463/.426/.793 shooting splits off the bench.

The Knicks could push for Gorgui Dieng as a Joakim Noah replacement and future backup for Kristaps Porzingis, but if that’s too much young talent to surrender for the Wolves, perhaps a future first round pick would make for a viable substitute.

For the Timberwolves, it might seem silly to ship off Rubio and Muhammad for a 32-year-old on his way down like Melo, especially in the event Dieng is attached, but the playoffs are still within reach and Tom Thibodeau doesn’t exactly strike anyone as the patient type.

Minnesota could use a veteran presence to help scorers like Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine develop, and they’d be paving the way for Kris Dunn to start, which is what the front office wants.

However, Melo wouldn’t help at all with that 23rd-ranked defense, he’d take touches away from the younger guys and as much as the Wolves want him to be ready, Dunn just isn’t ready to take over the starting job. Also, good luck convincing Melo to waive his no-trade clause to aid a rebuilding project in freezing Minnesota.