NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Potential Carmelo Anthony Trades

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Jan 19, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) drives against Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Washington Wizards won 113-110. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards have found their rhythm, winning 22 of their last 33 games to rise to fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. But no one will be mistaking them for a legitimate threat to the Cavaliers anytime soon, even with John Wall and Bradley Beal playing the best basketball of their careers.

Otto Porter Jr. is starting to look like the third piece to complement Washington’s star duo, and if Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t exist, his 14.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game on .533/.456/.785 shooting splits would make him the favorite for the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award.

But he’s no superstar, and if the Wizards want to make a jump in the East, bringing aboard a third star could be the quickest path before Wall and Beal start feeling restless. Melo would get served up easy looks on a platter by one of the NBA’s elite facilitators, and he’d enjoy the floor-spacing Beal would provide as well.

In the event the Wizards aren’t interested in parting with Porter, perhaps something like Markieff Morris, Kelly Oubre Jr. and a future draft pick might make up the difference. Ian Mahinmi would be included for salary-matching purposes in either hypothetical deal, but he wouldn’t cost Washington much since he’s played a grand total of 14 minutes due to injury.

Trading for an injured player is always risky, but Mahinmi is locked in for the long-term and would make Joakim Noah expendable for New York once he returns. Porter would be a tremendous asset at 23 years old, or the Knicks could settle for a stretch-4 in Morris and a promising young wing in Oubre.

In the second scenario, the Wizards would receive Justin Holiday to help balance things out and give them a replacement wing.

However, Washington may be content with its internal growth, especially when it comes to Porter, and may prefer to see how things pan out once Mahinmi is healthy rather than opt for a serious roster shakeup midseason. Plus, Melo may not waive his no-trade clause to be the third member of Washington’s Big Three.