No love for melo
Cavs rebuff Knicks in reported star swap Anthony Implodes in fourth of ugly loss
Carmelo Anthony, after a report the Knicks approached the Cavs about an Anthony-for-Kevin Love deal, did nothing to increase Cleveland’s interest. Anthony scored 30 points through three quarters, but turned it over seven times and was blanked in the fourth as the Knicks lost 103-95 at Dallas.
DALLAS — At least the Knicks took a swing — and missed.
According to an ESPN report, the Knicks approached the Cavaliers about dealing Carmelo Anthony for Kevin Love and were “rebuffed.’’
The report came in the wake of LeBron James saying Monday the Cavaliers need a talent upgrade to win another title and Anthony stating he knows “The King” would want him on his side.
After Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks, Anthony responded to the report in somber tones, saying, “Until management comes to me and says something, that’s something I look forward to. I really don’t have a reaction to it.’’
Is the Knicks brass looking to passively force him out?
“I don’t know,” he said. “I honestly don’t know. Not something I can control.’’
Repeating for the third time in 10 days, Anthony said he would listen if management came to him wanting to make a trade. He first expressed that in Toronto, angry over a Phil Jackson confidant, Charley Rosen, writing Anthony has “outlived his usefulness.’’
“If they want to go in a different direction, I would have to consider it,’’ Anthony said Wednesday night. “But nobody has gotten in contact with me and it’s something I don’t worry about or am thinking about it.”
Anthony said he is not reaching out to Jackson after meeting with him one week ago.
“I don’t think I have to initiate another conversation,’’ Anthony said. “If it’s something they’re looking at, I’m pretty sure they’d come to me.’’
In the morning, before the Knicks’ 103-95 loss to Dallas, The Post asked Anthony if he wanted to play in Cleveland.
“I don’t think about it — not something I think about right now,’’ Anthony said. “As far as playing with [James], I don’t think about that. I can’t think about that. You know I’m not thinking about that.”
It’s a good thing because the Cavaliers apparently don’t deem Anthony an upgrade over Love, who is having another All-Star season and coming off helping Cleveland win an NBA title last spring with a big Game 7. Anthony to the Cavaliers — even if the Knicks star was willing to waive his no-trade clause — would be a logistical nightmare unless Love was included in any deal. Indications have been the Knicks brass is amenable to a trade but the report shows Jackson still wants a big return. Cleveland can’t trade its first-round pick this year under collective bargaining agreement because the Cavs don’t have one next year. The earliest first-round pick they can deal is 2020. James said Wednesday night he’s not into “playing fantasy basketball’’ when asked about the Love-Anthony report. Anthony’s salary would bump to $29 million after a trade kicker, and the Cavaliers would need to give back that amount of salary. Rosen wrote it was “understood’’ Anthony would only accept a trade to the Cavaliers or Clippers and possibly could be persuaded to join the Lakers. The story ticked off Anthony, who believed Jackson’s fingerprints were on it and called for a meeting. Jackson’s continuing silence on Anthony’s future in the wake of Rosen’s piece is deafening. On Wednesday, Anthony said he wasn’t certain how to interpret James’ recent profanitylaced remarks about the Cavaliers’ need to acquire more talent — a playmaker, specifically. But the Knicks star knows his buddy would want to join forces with him. “You ask me a question if he thinks I’d want to play with him?’’ Anthony said. “Yes. I do think he’d want me to play with him. I don’t think he wouldn’t. But I don’t know if that comment was about me. I don’t think I’m the only playmaker in the NBA.’’ Anthony admitted he could have regrets if he retires without a title — an indication he could reverse course on his restated commitment to not waiving his no-trade clause. “Me personally, I wouldn’t be satisfied with it,’’ Anthony said. “It’s something I’ll always think about — coulda, shoulda, woulda. I’ll answer that when my career is over with. It’s hard to answer that when you’re in midst of your career.’’