Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors: Cavaliers Remain Suitor Despite Rockets' Pursuit

While the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks continue to explore trade possibilities that would send Carmelo Anthony to Houston, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cleveland Cavaliers remain interested in acquiring the superstar.

Wojnarowski wrote, "Anthony is willing to waive his no-trade clause for a deal to the Rockets or Cavaliers, league sources said. The Cavaliers haven't abandoned pursuit of Anthony, league sources said." 

The Rockets appear to still be the frontrunners to land Anthony, however.

Wojnarowski reported the Rockets and Knicks "have expanded the scope of a possible Anthony trade to include four-team scenarios in a broader deal" and "are confident that they have a willing third-team trade partner incorporated into the framework."

Wojnarowski added "New York has been pushing hard to unload Anthony in recent weeks, although it hasn't necessarily changed an asking price that makes the deal a challenge for Houston, league sources said. The Knicks aren't interested in the Rockets' older players and big contracts, so new teams have to be brought into the deal to find a way to satisfy the Knicks."

Wojnarowski did note Anthony prefers to join Chris Paul in Houston, however.

It's unclear how the Cavaliers would make a trade for Anthony work or whether it would include Kevin Love. There were rumors in January that the Knicks had reached out to Cleveland seeking an Anthony-for-Love swap, but the Cavaliers reportedly weren't interested in that deal at the time.

It's also questionable whether the Knicks would still be interested in Love if he was on the table. Adding Love would essentially push Kristaps Porzingis to the 5 and send promising second-year center Willy Hernangomez to the bench.

Additionally, "The Knicks front office has been privately saying that the organization's marching orders are now focusing on players 25 years old and younger," according to Wojnarowski. Love is 28, and the Cavaliers don't have any intriguing players 25 or under outside of Kyrie Irving, who almost assuredly wouldn't be moved in an Anthony trade.

For the Cavaliers to acquire Anthony, they would likely need an additional team or two to get involved.