Carmelo won’t waive no-trade clause to join Kyrie-less Cavs

For over the past year or two, rumors have circulated about a possibility that Carmelo Anthony could join LeBron James in Cleveland and the two high school friends be teammates for the first team, both potentially donning the wine and gold and being together on the Cavaliers. Those rumors became even more realistic after Kyrie Irving requested a trade less than two weeks ago, with one of his four preferred destinations being the Knicks. Although a deal was unlikely due to New York not wanting to include Kristaps Porzingis in any trade, Anthony joining the Cavs seemed like quite the possibility.

With a no-trade clause, the Knicks star supposedly admitted that he would accept a trade to either the Houston Rockets or Cavs if a deal were to take place. But, with Irving wanting out of Cleveland now, the only team Anthony will waive his no-trade clause for now is the Rockets. He has changed his mind and no longer wants to join James and Cleveland, according to the New York Post’s Marc Berman.

Although a deal that included the 33-year-old being shipped to the Cavs seemed far-fetched, there was still a possibility it could happen, especially after Irving’s trade request. The Cavs can trade Uncle Drew to wherever they may choose, but if they decided solely on one of his four preferred destinations, a possible Irving-for-Anthony flip (along with New York including more assets) was a possibility. But, with Anthony now unwilling to waive his no-trade clause to join the Cavs, all potential deals involving the Cavs and Knicks seem to be off the table now.

People rag on Melo for his defense, but the star hasn’t been on a legitimate team in years. If he were to join the Cavs, he would not only be a better player as James’ go-to man, but he most likely would have put in much more effort as well, with a ring on the line. Then again, getting him to the wine and gold always seemed much harder than people thought. The Knicks weren’t willing to part with much and there’s no way that Cleveland would have done a deal that involved Irving-for-Anthony straight up, with the Cavs receiving nothing else from New York.

Although it would have be cool to see James and Anthony play together in Cleveland, it seems as though Melo will either be a Knick or join Chris Paul and James Harden in Houston this season before potentially becoming a free agent next summer if he decides against signing his player option for the 2018-19 season.