Albuquerque Journal

Anthony open to a trade to Rockets, Cavaliers

- BY AL IANNAZZONE NEWSDAY

ORLANDO, Fla. — Carmelo Anthony has been training hard this offseason, as a video was posted recently of him running on a soccer field at 2 a.m.

Perhaps Anthony is getting in shape for his next team. According to an ESPN report, Anthony is open to waiving his no-trade clause to play for Houston or Cleveland. But either team would have to put together a trade that appeals to the Knicks.

Even though the Knicks parted ways with Phil Jackson, who was in favor of getting Anthony off the roster at all costs, the team is still planning to move forward without him.

Coach Jeff Hornacek wouldn’t say he wanted Anthony back on the team next season. Hornacek also has been pumping up Kristaps Porzingis, saying Saturday he believes he’s ready to be the focal point of the offense.

Houston has emerged as a landing spot for Anthony after it acquired his good friend Chris Paul last week. Cleveland has always been a possible destinatio­n for Anthony because of his relationsh­ip with LeBron James.

Also, Anthony wants to remain close to his 10-year-old son, Kiyan. He is in New York with Anthony’s estranged wife La La, who in recent appearance­s made it sound like he would be with a new team next season.

“That is a real possibilit­y,” La La Anthony said Sunday night on “Watch What Happens Live” on Bravo. “That is a real possibilit­y. My hope is he ends up somewhere where he’s happy and he can win because he’s such an incredible player he deserves to win.”

The Rockets are putting together a team that could contend in the West after acquiring Paul to play with MVP runner-up James Harden. The Cavaliers have been to three straight NBA Finals.

Other teams linked to Anthony include the Celtics, Wizards and Raptors because of their proximity to New York. But it’s unclear whether Anthony would approve a deal to those teams.

Anthony always has wanted to play with Paul and James. He was longrumore­d to be heading to the Clippers when Paul played for them. Last season, the Knicks had conversati­ons with the Cavaliers and Clippers about a trade for Anthony, but those talks never really got serious.

It’s interestin­g that Anthony would approve a move to Houston or that the Rockets would pursue him since the coach is Mike D’Antoni. The two didn’t have a good working relationsh­ip when D’Antoni coached the Knicks.

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