Trading Carmelo

The Knicks will keep trying, of course. The relationship between Anthony and President Phil Jackson has soured to the point where a split should prove beneficial, if for no other reason than to stop all the surrounding drama. And who knows? They may yet f

For the umpteenth time, Carmelo Anthony found himself talking about the possibility he would be dealt before the trade deadline. And, for the umpteenth time, he used the opportunity to underscore his preference for maintaining the status quo. As he faced the media scrum that continued to speculate on his future in the face of the evident desire of the Knicks’ top brass to send him packing, he was firm in reiterating his position. “I never thought I would be anywhere else,” he said after shootaround yesterday, belying the notion that his seemingly unwanted status has softened his stance against changing addresses.

Not that the Knicks care about Anthony’s opinion on the matter. For the last month, they’ve been actively making calls around the National Basketball Association in an effort to ship him to a willing taker. Unfortunately, they have had to consider clauses in his contract which: 1) prevent his exit without his explicit approval, effectively limiting the number of potential destinations to those he deems palatable; and 2) call for a 15% kicker, thereby raising his price tag to close to $30 million. Little wonder, then, that no one’s biting.

If the grapevine is to be believed, the Cavaliers have already said no, and not merely because they’re being compelled to give up All- Star Kevin Love in the process. They just finished a championship season that, ironically, had them in the red because of luxury taxes, so they understand the perils of collecting talent — even winning talent — without regard for cost. Ditto the Clippers, who likewise booked a considerable loss.

The Knicks will keep trying, of course. The relationship between Anthony and President Phil Jackson has soured to the point where a split should prove beneficial, if for no other reason than to stop all the surrounding drama. And who knows? They may yet find the right trade partner before Feb. 23. No matter what happens, though, it’s clear who the real losers will

be: the fans.

ANTHONY L. CUAYCONG has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is the Senior Vice-President and General Manager of Basic Energy Corp.