Report: Carmelo Anthony ‘counting on’ Knicks resuming talks with Rockets

The New York Knicks have reportedly hit a snag in their trade discussions involving Carmelo Anthony, but the 33-year-old superstar is hoping the talks resume in the near future. And he apparently has his heart set on one team in particular.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports that Anthony is expecting the Knicks to continue trying to work out a trade with the Houston Rockets. Former president of basketball operations Phil Jackson openly stated that he believed Anthony would be better off elsewhere, and Carmelo finally has his sights set on waiving his no-trade clause to play for a contender.

Anthony would reportedly only waive his no-trade clause for the Rockets or Cleveland Cavaliers, but sources told Wojnarowski that Melo prefers the former.

The Knicks recently traded a second-round pick and cash to make former Sacramento Kings executive Scott Perry their new general manager, and Perry is said to be unhappy with the lack of assets teams are willing to give up for Anthony. The new GM is reportedly contemplating whether Anthony’s trade value would increase if New York keeps him for now and he proves he can still play at a high level.

Anthony has said publicly that he wants to remain in New York, and he would only leave if he had a chance to contend for a title. He wants to remain close to his 10-year-old son, whom he shares with his wife La La. Carmelo and La La are currently separated amid some pretty disturbing cheating rumors.

Anthony is close friends with Chris Paul, so he likely became infatuated with the idea of playing for the Rockets when they acquired CP3 from the Los Angeles Clippers. The Knicks want young players and/or draft picks in return if they trade Carmelo, which is why a third or fourth team would need to be involved.