Sources: Knicks, Clippers seeking 3rd team for Carmelo Anthony deal
The New York Knicks and LA Clippers are searching for third-team facilitators to keep alive the prospect of completing a Carmelo Anthony trade, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN.com that the Knicks continue to discuss the prospect of sending Anthony to Los Angeles without taking back any of the Clippers' top three stars but have struggled to find a trade construction that works for both teams involving the other players on L.A.'s roster.
The most substantive talks between the teams took place last week, according to sources with knowledge of the discussions, but have continued into this week as the Clippers have maintained a consistent interest in Anthony, who has two years and roughly $53 million remaining on his contract.
The Knicks also have continued to try to assemble a workable trade that the Cleveland Cavaliers would consider for Anthony after ESPN.com first reported earlier this week that the Cavs rebuffed Anthony-for-Kevin Love proposals.
The Clippers, sources said, have made it clear they have no interest in surrendering Paul, All-Star center DeAndre Jordan or Blake Griffin in an Anthony trade, but they also couldn't trade Griffin to the Knicks even if they wanted to.
League rules, under the NBA's current labor agreement, prevent teams from trading for two players who were signed by their original team via a designated player maximum contract extension. The Knicks already have one such player on their roster in Derrick Rose.
ESPN reported last week that Knicks president Phil Jackson met with Anthony and asked if he wanted to remain a Knick. Sources close to Anthony said he reaffirmed his desire to stay in New York at that meeting.
But both sides, sources said, left the meeting with an understanding that if Anthony were to provide a list of teams to the Knicks, they likely would begin soliciting offers.