Carmelo Anthony's Rumored 'Primary Objective' Is to Be Traded to Rockets

Elsa/Getty Images

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reported Monday night that New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony's "primary objective" is to get traded to the Houston Rockets this offseason.

Isola added that the Knicks would like to use Melo as part of a package to land guard Kyrie Irving from the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the Cavs seemingly aren't interested.

Although Isola also confirmed a report by HBO's Bill Simmons that the Oklahoma City Thunder have interest in Anthony, a source indicated to Isola that Melo only has eyes for Houston.

Since the Rockets acquired Anthony's close friend, point guard Chris Paul, in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, he has been strongly linked to Houston.

Melo is a 10-time All-Star coming off another solid statistical year that saw him average 22.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists for a disappointing Knicks team.

Anthony's production came in spite of what appeared to be a toxic environment with he and then-Knicks president Phil Jackson at odds in the media.

The Knicks seem to be firmly in rebuild mode with Kristaps Porzingis, Frank Ntilikina and Willy Hernangomez leading the way in that regard.

Houston, on the other hand, is looking to combat the Golden State Warriors, and adding Anthony to a core that already includes Paul and James Harden would conceivably close the gap.