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 and 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 several 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 long-rumored 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. D'Antoni ultimately resigned amid reports that Anthony wanted him out. The two clashed over D'Antoni's offense.
The Rockets have been very busy this offseason acquiring players with short deals or non-guaranteed ones for future trades. They were said to be doing it for Paul George, but since he was dealt to Oklahoma City, Anthony appears to be their target now.
ESPN also reported the Rockets and Knicks spoke last month about Anthony, with Houston offering Ryan Anderson as the centerpiece. But Anderson is owed roughly $16.3 million over the next three seasons.
The Knicks may not want to add big or long-term salaries right now since they appear to be rebuilding, and going with a youth movement centered around Porzingis, Willy Hernangomez, Frank Ntilikina and Ron Baker.
They're also in a little bit of a holding pattern for various reasons. The Knicks are searching for a replacement for Jackson. They haven't been very active in free agency. Their lone agreement reached at this point has been to bring back Baker on a two-year deal.
General manager Steve Mills is running the basketball department right now and he respectfully declined to speak to reporters Sunday.
Since Anthony would only go to select teams, it might be difficult for the Knicks to get a significant haul for their best player. Anthony also has an $8.1 million trade kicker in his contract.
Jackson reportedly wanted to buy out Anthony and the final two years and $54 million on his contract. But the Knicks prefer to trade Anthony and get something in return.
